Tea Stall Workers Operating Water Pumps? Ellisbridge MLA Demands Ex-Servicemen Security After Asarwa Human Bone Horror

AHMEDABAD: Shocking security lapses at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) water distribution stations came to the fore during a coordination committee meeting at Riverfront House, following the recent discovery of a human skull and bones inside the Asarwa water tank. Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah raised severe concerns over the operations of municipal water tanks, alleging that private contractors are employing tea stall vendors and random outsiders to operate water pumps instead of qualified personnel.

Addressing civic officials at the meeting, Amit Shah called for deploying ex-servicemen to guard municipal water tanks across the city to prevent trespassing and contamination risks. He demanded that the AMC replace private contractors with qualified, full-time technicians holding ITI certificates, pointing out that none of the contracted water distribution points currently employ trained turners or fitters as required by safety norms.

Flawed Makarba Bridge Design Sparks Call for Dedicated Engineering Cell

Beyond water safety, the coordination committee meeting witnessed heated discussions on city infrastructure and civic planning. MLA Amit Shah expressed strong displeasure over the design of the newly constructed Makarba bridge, noting that it descends directly onto a busy four-way intersection, triggering severe traffic bottlenecks.

Key infrastructure and administrative demands raised by local MLAs:

• Dedicated Design Cell: Proposal to create an independent in-house design cell within the AMC specifically for municipal bridge and housing projects to avoid faulty junction layouts.
• Ending Charge Culture: Highlighted that 77 Class-1 posts across the AMC, including hospital superintendent positions in civic hospitals, are currently running on temporary charge rather than permanent appointments.
• Stormwater Drainage in Vejalpur: Vejalpur MLA Amit Thaker demanded a dedicated stormwater drainage network from Butbhavani through Shreyas Complex to Makarba to prevent chronic waterlogging during monsoons.
• Civic Amenities Drive: Appeals for new pumping booster stations, fresh road construction, and public gardens across Sonal Road, Shivranjani, Jivraj Crossroads, and areas behind Parth School.

Call to End Temporary Appointments in Key Civic Posts

Pressing for systemic reforms, Amit Shah urged the administration to fill crucial administrative and medical vacancies with permanent appointments. He stated that leaving 77 top-tier Class-1 positions under provisional charge severely compromises civic management and public healthcare delivery in municipal hospitals.

Meanwhile, Vejalpur legislator Amit Thaker urged municipal authorities to fast-track ongoing drainage infrastructure work and allocate dedicated funds for new roads and green spaces to resolve persistent urban flooding across his constituency.