Ahmedabad garba permissions remained largely pending on October 9, with Navratri due to begin in two days, as organisers awaited fire safety clearances and other mandatory documents for events across the city and rural areas.
According to a report by Sandesh, 81 organisers within Ahmedabad city police limits had applied for permission to hold garba events at clubs, party plots and grounds. However, none of the applications had received final approval because fire-safety requirements and other required documents were incomplete.
The pending applications cover venues expected to host large numbers of participants and visitors during the nine-day festival. The authorities have held back approvals until organisers complete the required paperwork, including Fire No Objection Certificates, or Fire NOCs.
The situation is different in the Ahmedabad rural police jurisdiction. Of the 18 organisers who sought permission there, only two had secured approval after completing all the required rules and documentation, the report said. The remaining applications were still awaiting clearance.
The permissions process is intended to establish whether event venues meet safety requirements before public gatherings begin. The report said authorities were not prepared to compromise on the safety of players, organisers or citizens attending garba venues. The delay has therefore been linked to incomplete documentation and the time required to obtain fire-safety clearance, rather than to a general suspension of Navratri events.
The issue has created uncertainty for both organisers and participants, with only a limited window remaining before the festival begins. Organisers whose applications are incomplete have been visiting government offices to complete the process and obtain the necessary approvals.
For attendees, the pending permissions mean that the final status of some events may remain unclear until the relevant police and local authorities complete their review. Organisers must secure approval before holding events at the proposed clubs, party plots and grounds.
The report did not specify how many applications were awaiting Fire NOCs alone, the names of the venues involved, or whether any events had been cancelled. It also did not state a final deadline for completing the approvals. Authorities are continuing to examine the applications and supporting documents before issuing permissions.
