Ahmedabad: A private organiser held four days of ticketed garba event on an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) reserved plot in Jagatpur, Gota, without paying around Rs 39 lakh in deposit and rent. The civic body sealed the plot on Thursday, the fifth day of the event, after discovering the non-payment. The North-West Zone’s estate department had rented out the plot without standing committee approval, raising questions over officials’ negligence and the financial loss to the corporation.Standing committee chairman Kamlesh Patel said organiser Dhrumil Khamar had applied online to host garba under the name ‘Fadiyu’. A demand note for Rs 39 lakh was issued, but the payment was not made. Despite granting a deadline until Thursday afternoon, the civic body received no payment and sealed the plot. Patel, however, did not specify whether action would be taken against the officials responsible for renting out the plot.In another decision, the AMC approved ‘Wings Over Kankaria’, an initiative to help visitors observe migratory and local birds through binoculars under expert guidance during winter. The facility will operate for two hours each in the morning and evening, with Kankaria Zoo staff overseeing arrangements. Patel also directed the food department to inspect food quality at fafda-jalebi stalls during Dussehra and prevent encroachment on footpaths.
