Ahmedabad: Police to close 4 main roads for Patel gathering

Ahmedabad

Even as the Gujarat government announced its inability to grant reservation to the agitating Patel community, city police today said that four main roads here will remain closed from 5 A.M. on Tuesday to avoid any unwarranted traffic problems during the mass gathering called that day to press the demand.

The announcement was made by Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Special Branch, Vikas Sahay during a press conference.

Sahay said that more than 3 lakh people from outside the city are expected to join the gathering of Patel community at GMDC ground near IIM-Ahmedabad campus.

“We expect that around 3 lakh people would come to the city to take part in the gathering. Since they will enter from different routes, we have declared four main roads as ‘No Vehicle Zones’ for that day. No vehicles will be allowed on these roads from 5 A.M. till the end of the meet,” Sahay said.

The said roads are the stretch from Shivranjani to AEC crossroads, Nehrunagar circle to Darpan crossroads, Vijay crossroads till Thaltej via Drive-In and Nehrunagar to Iskcon crossroads via Shivranjani.

“Since these roads will remain closed that day, commuters can use other alternative routes. I request people not to come to these areas unless very necessary. As an exception, we have instructed our staff to allow patients and students on these roads,” Sahay said.

Demanding reservation under OBC quota, the Patel community, led by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, had announced they would hold a mega rally which would begin from the Sabarmati riverfront.

However, after deliberations with police and civic authorities, they agreed to hold a gathering at GMDC ground instead of going ahead with the rally.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today ruled out any reservation for the Patel community citing the Constitution and Supreme Court judgements. The chief minister also urged the members of the community to end their ongoing agitation. .

The reservation-seeking agitators have claimed that around 20 lakh members from the Patel community would participate in the gathering. City police have given them permission to park their vehicles at the Riverfront.

However, city police now fear that the Riverfront may prove inadequate for accommodating thousands of vehicles.

In addition, police feel it is not practical for those who enter the city via SG Highway to go all the way to the Riverfront to park their vehicles and then come back to the GMDC grounds, which is around 6-km away.

“Thus, we have identified eight different grounds and open plots near SG Highway to accommodate the vehicles. It will ease the burden on Riverfront. As of now, permission is granted for the gathering. There is no request from the organisers yet about the rally,” said Sahay.

Moreover, city police have also swung into action to thwart any terror attacks during the gathering. According to Sahay, crime branch personnel along with officials of Anti- Terrorist Squad (ATS) are on their toes to keep a check on any anti-national elements.

“As of now, there is no specific input about any terror attack during the gathering. But we have to be very careful when such a large number of people are gathering in one place.

“Crime branch and ATS are conducting city-wide surveillance and keeping a close vigil at all public spaces,” he said.

Sahay said that Quick Response Teams (QRTs) equipped with bulletproof vehicles and latest weapons will stand guard at 15 different points in the city to keep a check on anti- social elements on Tuesday.

PTI