Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court questioned the state administration over the closure of a century-old public road linking the Somnath Temple with the Sagar Darshan guest house in Gir Somnath district.

Hearing a petition filed by local residents, Justice Nikhil Kariel criticised what he described as bureaucratic inaction after authorities allegedly blocked access to the route. The petitioners maintained that the road has been used by the public for over a century and is clearly reflected in official records and maps dating back to 1920.

Residents told the court that despite making repeated representations to the district collector over the past five months, their concerns remained unaddressed, leaving them with no option but to approach the High Court.

During the proceedings, the court sought an explanation over the Collector’s failure to respond to public grievances. In reply, the government argued that access to the temple remains available through the main route. The government lawyer stated that the temple complex historically had five entry gates, but visitors are now directed through the main Digvijay Gate. A rear gate has recently been sealed with a wall for security reasons, while two other gates had already been closed over the past five years as part of security measures.

The government further informed the court that only two-wheelers are currently permitted to access the Digvijay Gate from the Prabhas Patan side.

The state assured the court that it would submit a detailed video recording of the stretch between the Ahilyabai Holkar statue and the Sagar Darshan road, along with updated official maps of the area.

The next hearing of the matter is scheduled for June 22. DeshGujarat