SMC Assess BRTS Damaged by Industrialist Vatsal Naik

Surat : The BRTS department of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated the process of assessment of the damaged portion of the BRTS railing near Ashirwad palace at Anuvrat Dwar after the renowned industrialist Vatsal Naik rammed his car under the influence of liquor on late Saturday night. 

Official sources in the SMC’s BRTS department said that the offenders damaging the public property are  liable to pay compensation. The team of BRTS officials conducted an inspection of the site on Monday to ascertain the damage. 

Sources said that the Volvo car driven by Vatsal Naik, 56, managing director of Mahavir Synthetics Private Limited and president of South Gujarat Chemical Manufacturers Association (SGCMA), damaged the railing portion of the BRTS corridor. Fortunately, there was no fatal injury to the driver or the commuters on the road. 

Pravin Prasad, assistant municipal commissioner (BRTS cell) said, “Our team is assessing the damage to the BRTS railing at the corridor. BRTS is a public property and those damaging it are liable to pay compensation. We are  yet to ascertain the exact cost of damage”

On Saturday night,Surat industrialist  Vatsal Naik was apprehended by the Surat police in an inebriated state when he rammed his Volvo car (GJ05RP1812) into the BRTS railing near Ashirwad Palace at Anuvrat Dwar in Umra area. 

Following the incident, the police arrived at the spot and removed Vatsal Naik from the damaged car. The situation quickly escalated when Naik, instead of cooperating, engaged in a heated argument with the officer. In an attempt to leverage his status, Naik allegedly insulted the police inspector, claiming, “You don’t know me, I am a reputed businessman, and I know the top minister in Gujarat.”

Despite the provocations, the officer promptly informed the Surat Police Commissioner about the incident. Acting on the Commissioner’s orders, Naik was taken to the Umra police station. His phone was seized, and a case of drunk driving was registered against him under the Motor Vehicle Act and Prohibition Act. Naik was then made to remain in the police station.

Official sources said that Vatsal Naik was unable to walk properly at the Umra police when he underwent the breath analyser test. When questioned about the liquor permit, Naik stated that he had taken the permit. Later on late at night, Naik was released on personal bond by the Umra police.