Surat: The Suvali Beach Festival recorded an all-time high footfall this year, with an estimated 4.50 lakh to 4.65 lakh tourists visiting the three-day event, according to data from AI-based CCTV cameras installed at the beach entrance.

The surveillance system recorded around 65,000 visitors on the first day, 1.50 lakh on the second day, and nearly 2.50 lakh on the third and final day. On Sunday, which was a public holiday, heavy traffic congestion was reported on the approach roads to Suvali Beach. Long queues of vehicles began forming after 4 pm, though police intervention helped clear the traffic within an hour. The congestion peaked between 5 pm and 6 pm as large crowds arrived for the closing ceremony.

Over the past three years, Suvali Beach had emerged as a popular leisure destination for Surat residents, with tourist footfall remaining steady even on non-event days. The annual beach festival further boosted its popularity, with visitor numbers rising each year. While the second edition attracted around 2.50 lakh tourists, this year’s festival broke all previous records. On Sunday evening, villagers and city residents from nearby areas gathered in large numbers to attend a music event of singer Bhoomi Trivedi, adding to the crowd.

Tourist attractions such as the food court, selfie points, camel and horse rides, and tyre-climbing activities drew significant attention throughout the festival. Addressing the gathering during the closing ceremony, Sandeep Desai said the Suvali Beach Festival has found a place in the hearts of the people. He noted that the turnout this year surpassed the combined attendance of the previous two editions and added that visitors enjoyed a wide range of food and recreational activities. He also highlighted that the festival generated employment opportunities for local residents. DeshGujarat