AMC Finally Wakes Up to Toxic Air, Seals 11 Construction Sites as Pollution Peaks

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation finally scrambled into action against blatant environmental violations, sealing 11 construction sites across Thaltej, Gota, Bodakdev, and Chandlodia only after the city's air quality turned severely critical.

With October logging a concerning average Air Quality Index of 139, municipal critics and local residents slammed authorities for waking up too late to enforce basic pollution control norms. The estate department launched its targeted crackdown only after the damage was done, penalising developers who blatantly ignored a town planning circular issued on 3 February 2023 requiring mandatory safety netting proportionate to building heights.

Late Crackdown on Non-Compliant Builders

The belated enforcement drive targeted multiple properties across the north-west zone. The sealed developments include Kaliram Hostel in Chandlodia (TP 64, FP 25/p), The Signature in Gota (TP 55, FP 236), Eklavya School in Chandlodia (TP 65, FP 277/1), and Saundarya Alina in Gota (TP 54, FP 17/2).

Additional sites caught operating without required green nets comprise Kaala Montana in Thaltej (TP 1 Bopal, FP 1), Dev Ex in Bodakdev (TP 31 University, FP 102), Aditya-2 in Thaltej (TP 1 Bopal, FP 30), Akshar Iwara in Gota (TP 57, FP 139), Solo Sparsh in Thaltej (TP 1 Bopal, FP 34), Sun Setu Sky in Thaltej (TP 217, FP 125/2), and Nityam Glory in Gota (TP 28, FP 6/85 and 6/123).

Unauthorised Gas Godown and Encroachment Penalties

Alongside the delayed action on construction sites, municipal teams moved against other urban infractions that had long escaped scrutiny. Authorities sealed an illegal gas godown operating within Chamunda Nagar in Chandlodia. Despite receiving prior closure notices that officials failed to enforce promptly, the unit continued running until the estate department intervened alongside fire brigade personnel.

Separately, municipal staff cleared encroachments in the Bharwad Vas area of Vastrapur within Bodakdev, seizing stored goods and levying a fine of rupees 12,000. Meanwhile, the active construction site of Atithi Gokul in Gota faced a penalty of rupees 25,000 for omitting environmental safeguards, failing to install safety netting, and dumping building materials onto public roads.

Across the day's operations, the north-west zone estate department sealed 12 locations in total, encompassing the 11 non-compliant construction projects and the illegal gas godown. Total penalties collected under encroachment and construction infractions reached rupees 52,000 as civic bodies face mounting public backlash for reacting to urban air pollution only after air quality indices hit alarming levels.