A municipal official in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has been suspended for six days following a lapse in infrastructure maintenance during a high-profile visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The action was initiated after 12 streetlights on a route used by the Prime Minister were found to be non-functional, with reports indicating that several others were flickering.
The suspension involves Mahesh Vasava, an in-charge clerk within the lighting department of the Dabhoi Municipality. According to an official suspension order issued by Dabhoi Municipality Chief Officer Viraj Shah on October 31, the disciplinary measure was taken under the provisions of Section 48 of the Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963. This section allows for the imposition of penalties on municipal officers for failure to discharge assigned duties or for demonstrated negligence.
The incident occurred as the Prime Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, transitioned from their original travel plans. The group had been attending National Unity Day celebrations at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar. While a helicopter had been the intended mode of transport to Vadodara airport, the party shifted to a road journey covering approximately 90 kilometres after dusk had fallen. The route taken by the convoy passed through the Dabhoi area, specifically stretching from Sinor Crossroads through the Bhogol area and reaching the Sarita Bridge.
In the lead-up to the movement of these dignitaries, the local municipality had issued clear instructions to various departments to ensure adequate preparations. These directives covered multiple civic responsibilities, including the maintenance of streetlights, the control of stray cattle, and general cleanliness across the town. As the primary official in charge of the lighting department, Vasava was responsible for ensuring that all streetlights along the designated route were in proper working order. The suspension order explicitly stated that despite prior instructions, the required repairs were not completed in a timely manner.
The suspension order further mandated that the clerk report to the competent authority on November 6 at 11 am for a personal hearing. During this session, the official is expected to provide an explanation regarding the alleged negligence and failure to adhere to the municipality’s directives. In addition to the six-day suspension, reports suggest that the additional charges and responsibilities previously assigned to the official have been withdrawn by the local administration.
Beyond the immediate failure of the 12 streetlights, sources have indicated that the suspension may also be linked to broader, ongoing inquiries into other projects handled by the official. The move reflects the stringent oversight often applied to civic maintenance in areas identified as part of VIP routes, where logistical coordination is prioritised to ensure safety and visibility. As local authorities move forward with the internal inquiry, the case underscores the expectations placed on municipal staff to maintain critical urban infrastructure, particularly ahead of scheduled events or transit movements involving state and national leaders.
Moving forward, the outcome of the personal hearing on November 6 will determine the next steps in the disciplinary process. The municipality is expected to review whether the failure was an isolated incident or part of a recurring pattern of negligence in the maintenance of public utilities. The case remains a focal point for local administration as they evaluate the effectiveness of their departmental oversight in the Vadodara district.
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