Ahmedabad’s new garba trend: ₹2,500 for passes, ₹100 two-wheeler parking, water bottles at ₹50

In Ahmedabad, Navratri, once celebrated as a festival of devotion and dance, is increasingly being seen as ‘nights of plunder’ for ordinary citizens. 

Along the S P Ring Road, countless private party plots are cashing in on the festivities, charging exorbitantly under the guise of celebration. With no proper infrastructure or safety measures in place, two-wheeler parking is priced at ₹100 and car parking at ₹200, turning the cultural revelry into a blatant daylight extortion.

On the other hand, police announcements of strict action against black-tinted cars have also fizzled out. Private party plots charge between ₹1,000 and ₹2,500 per person per night for garba. 

Even after paying such hefty fees, most venues do not provide drinking water facilities. Moreover, people are not allowed to carry their own water bottles. 

So, after playing raas for two to three hours, thirsty revellers are forced to pay over ₹50 for a water bottle that normally costs ₹20. Similarly, snacks that cost ₹30–40 in the market are sold for ₹100–150. Shockingly, no government body is ready to curb this daylight robbery.

Ahead of Navratri, Gujarat High Court had sternly reminded the police and state authorities about enforcing rules against tinted glass vehicles and the use of loudspeakers beyond midnight. 

Despite tall claims of strict action, the reality on Ahmedabad’s roads tells a different story. As per road experts, two out of ten cars still sport tinted windows, and continue to ply on the roads without any action.