In the state of Gujarat, the entry of lorries and trucks has been banned in the Salangpur Kashtabhanjan Dev Temple, which is one of the most frequented religious temples in the state. The move is part of an initiative to control the congestion and increase safety, and decrease pollution around the temple, which is visited by thousands of devotees daily. Recently, the High Court of Gujarat refused to interfere in the issue and factually accepted the ruling of the government and put safety and order of the people first and the convenience of commerce second.
According to the new rule, lorries, trucks, and commercial transport vehicles, which are considered heavy, are forbidden to enter or park in the area of the temple. According to the officials, the ban is aimed at ensuring the efficient traffic of pilgrims and preventing accidents in the congested temple. With time, there was a lot of congestion through the increased traffic of heavy vehicles, which was dangerous to devotees, especially at the time of festivals and peak visiting time.
The transporters and logistics operators had gone to the Gujarat High Court seeking to be relieved of the ban on the grounds that it was interfering with the vital business activities. These petitions were, however, denied in court since the court pointed out that the lives and comfort of the people are the priority, and the serene running of religious practices comes next. The ruling is indicative of the government to provide a more secure environment near high-density residential and worship places.
To ease the implementation process of the ban, the local government has been able to identify and designate other routes to use by heavy vehicles. Traffic marshals, police personnel, and signboards have been used to direct drivers and also make them adhere to the new rules. The authorities have emphasized that the ban will be heavily imposed at the times of festivals and when the crowds are high, and the number of devotees going to the temple is much higher.
The decision has been well received by those who visit the temple and those who live in the region, and they have claimed that this will bring a peaceful and secure environment around the temple. It is also believed that the limitations of heavy vehicle traffic will also lessen air pollution and noise, and visitors will be able to be in a more peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. The government has made it clear that the ban is not a permanent ban, but will be applied as the need be especially during peak periods, to bring sanity and the general security of the people.
The relocation represents a bigger effort by the Gujarat government to guarantee the security and well-being of the people in highly populated regions, particularly in places of religion. The state plans to limit the traffic flow on heavy vehicles adjacent to Salangpur Kashtabhanjan Dev Temple to ensure that the persons visiting the temple have a safe and enjoyable experience, avoiding the necessity to satisfy either traffic control or the comfort of the citizens.
