Ahmedabad: BJP city president and MLA from Ellisbridge assembly seat has demanded the removal of illegal encroachments on the way to Bhadrakali Temple in the old city area.

BJP MLA Amit Popatlal Shah said, “I visited Bhadrakali Mandir for darshan yesterday. I took a car from the Advance Cinema side, but the gate put up by the corporation was closed. There were lorries everywhere, and the car couldn’t go inside. I asked the driver to wait, and I walked to the temple, but even walking was difficult. The people of the city have the utmost devotion for Nagardevi Bhadrakali Maa, and thousands come to seek darshan of Mataji. Therefore, as the city chief, former mayor, and current MLA, it is my duty to bring this to the attention of the Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner to remove these encroachments.”

He further added, “When the Bhadra Plaza project was initiated, I was in the corporation, and it was part of a ₹38 crore project it was planned for people to be able to take darshan of Maa Bhadrakali from Teen Darwaja. Today, the public cannot reach Bhadrakali Temple by car or scooter. On behalf of the entire city, I have requested the City Police Commissioner and AMC Commissioner to resolve this issue permanently and ensure that arrangements are made for vehicles to pass through so that people can easily take darshan.” DeshGujarat