Direct communication between Prabhaspatan village and Somnath temple premises lost: Villagers angry over overnight road blockade by Somnath Temple Trust; Petition of Prabhas Interest Protection Committee

The world-famous Somnath Temple Trust has erected cement walls and barricades on the age-old public roads connecting Prabhas Patan village overnight. On this issue, the 'Prabhas Hit Rakshak Samiti' has sent a memorandum to the District Collector threatening to agitate. The Prabhas Hit Rakshak Samiti said that if these roads are not opened with immediate effect, the citizens of Prabhas Patan will launch an aggressive agitation. Overnight, walls were erected and roads were blocked. Residents of Prabhas Patan village have alleged that the Somnath Temple Trust has blocked the public roads leading to Digvijaya Dwar and the old Somnath temple built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar without any prior notice or public notice. Which roads were closed? 'This road is our lifeline': Villagers Prabhas Hit Rakshak Samiti president Hemal Chandra Bhatt and leaders met District Collector N.V. Upadhyay said these roads are not just for transport but are the foundation of the village's social and economic system. Legal issues and allegations The committee has submitted in the memorandum that these are government public roads as per records from 1922 to 1926. These roads have been used for more than 100 years and people have a legal 'easement right'. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Veraval-Patan joint municipality, yet barricades have been erected without the permission of the municipality. What do the authorities have to say? NV Upadhyay said that a representation has been received and appropriate action will be taken after conducting an inquiry into the matter. The trust's general manager Vijaysinh Chavda refused to comment to the media on the sensitive issue. At present, the walls built on these centuries-old roads have created a huge wall between the trust and the locals.