Choking Hazard? Ahmedabad Air Quality Concerns Mount as Town Planning Committee Approves On-Site RMC Plants
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Amid rising concerns over deteriorating air quality in Ahmedabad, the Town Planning Committee has approved a new policy allowing Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants directly on construction sites. The decision has sparked questions regarding dust pollution control as real estate development continues across the city.
Guidelines Set for Onsite and Offsite Concrete Operations
Under the newly approved policy, plots measuring up to 7,500 square metres must establish RMC plants within the site premises. For plots exceeding 7,500 square metres, operators can construct the plant on-site or within a one-kilometre radius.
The policy outlines distinct rules and fee structures for different plant categories:
- Onsite Plants: Project-specific units incur an annual licence fee of ₹25,000, and the concrete produced can only be used for the specified project. Operators must obtain No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), secure structural safety certificates, install green netting, and use water sprinklers to curb dust.
- Offsite Commercial Plants: Commercial units face an annual licence fee of ₹50,000 alongside a ₹5,000,000 security deposit. These units are restricted to designated industrial and agricultural zones and must install air quality monitors, high-resolution cameras, and anti-smog machines.
Strict penalties have been instituted for non-compliance. Unlicensed offsite plants face immediate sealing and a ₹1,00,000 fine, with continuing violations incurring a ₹10,000 daily penalty. Unlicensed onsite plants face daily fines of ₹1,000. All operating licences will remain valid for one year, requiring renewal applications 30 days prior to expiration. Existing operational units have been granted 60 days to apply under the new guidelines.
Regulatory Enforcement Questioned Amid AQI Deficit and Transport Hazards
Town Planning Committee Chairman Bhagyesh Patel noted that the corporation previously lacked a unified regulatory framework for RMC operations, which currently number around 19 within municipal limits. However, official responses remained unclear regarding the potential environmental impact on local air quality.
Environmental tracking indicates that Ahmedabad recorded zero days of clean air in 2026. Across 286 monitored days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuated between 72 and 168, recording 179 moderate days, 60 poor days, 44 unhealthy days, and two severe days.
The expansion of construction logistics also highlights ongoing road safety risks. Municipal traffic data reveals that heavy construction vehicles—including dumpers, transport trucks, and RMC mixers—were involved in 521 road accidents between 2021 and July 2026. These incidents resulted in 270 fatalities and left 182 individuals with severe or permanent injuries, with sand and soil dumpers accounting for 131 of the total deaths.
