Ahmedabad to Reopen Sealed Shops for Seasonal Trade; AMC Probes Sabarmati River Pollution After Standing Committee Questions

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to allow the reopening of shops sealed following the Ramol firecracker blast, permitting traders to conduct seasonal businesses other than firecracker sales ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28.

The decision was taken after traders represented that they had already stocked seasonal goods, including rakhis, which remained inaccessible after the sealing of their premises.

Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel said traders would have to furnish a bond undertaking that they would not engage in the sale or storage of firecrackers.

Only seasonal businesses other than firecracker trade will be permitted, and traders must comply with all applicable government regulations. Officials said only establishments possessing a valid Building Use (BU) permission, Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) and the required police permissions would be allowed to operate.

AMC Orders Probe Into Sabarmati River Pollution

The issue of untreated wastewater allegedly flowing into the Sabarmati River near Gandhi Ashram also came up during the Standing Committee meeting after a video showing foamy contaminated water entering the river circulated widely.

According to officials present at the meeting, engineering officials from the West Zone failed to explain the source of the discharge when questioned by committee members.

The lack of response prompted the Municipal Commissioner to order an inquiry into the matter and submit a report within a day.

Chairman Seeks Action Over PM Awas Yojana Construction Quality

The Standing Committee also reviewed complaints regarding the quality of construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Members raised concerns over water leakage and plaster peeling in houses that are less than seven years old.

Kamlesh Patel directed that any repairs required during the defect liability period must be carried out by the contractor at the contractor's own expense.

Ward Committee Meetings Made Mandatory

To improve local governance, the Standing Committee has made it mandatory for ward committee meetings to be held on the first Saturday of every month.

The decision follows complaints that such meetings were not being conducted regularly, delaying the resolution of civic issues at the ward level.

Naroda Galaxy Flyover Deadline Extended to 2027

The committee also reviewed the progress of the Naroda Patiya-Galaxy Cinema flyover project.

Patel said the ₹276-crore project was awarded to Rachna Construction Company in 2023, with construction beginning on July 16 that year. The project was originally scheduled for completion within 36 months, by July 15, 2026.

However, land acquisition issues involving the Forest Department delayed the work. As allotment under Town Planning Scheme (TP) 63 was not feasible, the corporation has now decided to provide equivalent land from TP Scheme 77 to the Forest Department to facilitate compliance with directions issued before the Gujarat High Court.

The contractor has been fined ₹50 lakh for slow progress, while the revised completion deadline has now been extended to July 2027.