Garba organisers secure ₹150 cr insurance for event safety in Gujarat

For the upcoming Navratri festival, keeping the safety of participants in mind, major organisers in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot have taken higher event insurance compared to last year. 

Since large gatherings involve risks of casualties or damage, some organisers have already taken precautions by securing event insurance with various agencies. Vadodara, considered the hub of Garba in Gujarat, alone has its leading organisers taking policies worth an estimated ₹30 crore. 

In Ahmedabad, where more than 50 large-scale Garba events are scheduled, insurance policies are being taken to cover artists, participants, and those working in agencies connected with the event. Generally, such insurance is referred to as event coverage or crowd coverage.

Insurance coverage worth over ₹30 cr

Six well-known organisers in Vadodara have taken insurance worth about ₹30.18 crore to shield their events from financial liabilities. This policy includes life coverage for nearly three lakh people. 

Compared to last year, insurance adoption in Gujarat has increased by 40%. In Ahmedabad, event coverage worth nearly ₹40 crore has been taken across around 50 venues. Vadodara’s Garba holds more significance than Ahmedabad’s or Surat’s, as UNESCO has recognized it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This draws crowds not only from Mumbai but also from other parts of Gujarat.

Ahmedabad’s insurance coverage between ₹40–60 cr

As Gujarat’s second Garba capital, Ahmedabad will see around 50 lakh people participating across more than 50 venues. The estimated event insurance coverage here ranges between ₹40–60 crore. Surat’s Garba events, meanwhile, have been insured for nearly ₹30 crore. Even in smaller towns such as Mehsana, Junagadh, and Bhuj, event organisers have followed this practice, collectively securing insurance worth around ₹20 crore.

Decision driven by recent accidents

Citing recent incidents of stampedes, fires, and accidents in Gujarat, event organisers had already, a month in advance, tied up with reputed companies to take policies covering nearly one crore participants. Altogether, event coverage worth about ₹150 crore has been secured so far.

An Ahmedabad-based organiser said that, over the past few years, the practice of securing insurance has brought more organisation into the Garba industry. From online bookings to orderly arrangements for food and play areas, discipline has improved. As a result, in the coming years, bigger and better event companies are expected to invest in Garba festivals.