Ahmedabad: The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on Divyapath School in the Memnagar area for allegedly damaging public roads and footpaths and using municipal land for parking without permission. Authorities have warned that further legal action will follow if the penalty is not paid within the stipulated time.

According to reports, the school administration allegedly demolished portions of public roads and footpaths, causing significant damage to civic infrastructure during a school-related programme. The incident also involved the unauthorised use of a municipal plot located behind the premises as a parking area for three days without prior approval from the AMC.

After the violations came to light, a team of AMC officials visited the site and informed the school authorities about the breaches. However, despite being given sufficient time to compensate for the damage and comply with civic regulations, the school administration reportedly failed to take corrective action.

Subsequently, the Naranpura Ward Office of the Western Zone issued a formal notice imposing a penalty of ₹1 lakh on the school. The institution has been directed to deposit the fine at the ward office within three days.

Civic officials stated that if the penalty is not paid within the prescribed deadline, the AMC will initiate further strict action in accordance with municipal laws and regulations.

Notably, in another incident, the closure of a median gap near Hotel Hillock on the Sardar Patel Ring Road had triggered protests a few days ago by residents and commuters, who claimed the move had worsened traffic congestion and forced a detour of nearly 4 km for motorists from nearby areas. Residents later launched a signature campaign demanding the reopening of the gap, citing frequent bottlenecks at a nearby narrow culvert now being used as an alternative route.

Later, in an interview with a news channel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated that frequent gaps in roads are a major reason for traffic congestion and that the government is working to resolve the issue.

“As many builders as there are sitting here, everyone will agree with this. They should cut outside their houses and outside the building when they do construction. You have seen in some countries of the world that a cut is made five to ten kilometres before the road. On the one hand, traffic needs to be managed, and on the other hand, a cut is needed. Two things should not happen at the same time. That is why we are working on a solution. Road engineering is the most important aspect. Even if 1,000 constables are deployed, traffic cannot be managed without proper planning. All this is decided on the basis of road engineering. If cuts are made on every street and outside every building, traffic can never be properly regulated,” he said. DeshGGujarat