Ahmedabad : Crack down on ‘Royal Mela’ for reopening Despite Government Directive

AHMEDABAD,GUJARAT : The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is on the tenterhooks after the video went viral on the social media platforms on the reopening of ‘Royal Mela’ at Ahmedabad’s iconic Sabarmati riverfront despite the closure orders following the Rajkot game zone fire tragedy on Thursday.

In the aftermath of a devastating fire incident in Rajkot, the state government swiftly issued directives to shutter all game zones across Gujarat as a precautionary measure. Acting upon this directive, a joint team comprising officials from the Municipal Corporation and the Police in Ahmedabad embarked on a mission to close down all game zones and fairs within the city.

Despite the blanket closure orders, a fair previously closed as per government instructions was defiantly reopened by the organizer. Videos capturing this act of defiance swiftly made rounds on social media platforms, stirring public discourse and raising pertinent questions regarding the efficacy of regulatory mechanisms.

The reopening of the fair at the Sabarmati Riverfront, attributed to the organizer Khan Amusement, has drawn widespread criticism and scrutiny. This brazen act of non-compliance with state directives has not only cast a shadow on the credibility of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation and the police system but has also highlighted the need for stringent enforcement of regulations.

I.K. Patel, the Executive Director of Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited and Deputy Municipal Commissioner, shed light on the sequence of events surrounding the unauthorized reopening of the fair. Patel revealed that upon receiving reports of the fair’s resumption on the evening of June 5, immediate action was taken to advise its closure. Despite clear directives and warnings, the fair organizer proceeded to open the event to the public.

In response to these developments, Patel emphasized that a team has been dispatched to ensure compliance with closure orders. Furthermore, written notifications will be issued, explicitly stating that the fair at Sabarmati Riverfront will remain closed until authorized by the competent authority.

In defense of the fair’s reopening, the manager of Royal Mela, situated on the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad asserted that preparations were merely underway, with no intention to commence operations. Stressing that no visitors were allowed entry, the manager clarified that only essential personnel were present on-site.