AMC issues notices to 424 panipuri vendors; 15 water tanker units sealed

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has issued notices to 424 panipuri vending lorries in Ahmedabad as part of a citywide health and sanitation drive, while 15 water tanker supply units have been sealed for failing to comply with safety norms.

Traditionally, municipal departments issue notices to shops and industrial units for offences such as public littering, use of banned plastic, sale of non-edible food items and non-payment of dues. However, the AMC’s health department has now expanded its enforcement to include street food vendors, particularly panipuri sellers.

The action comes amid growing concerns over waterborne diseases following recent outbreaks in Indore and Gandhinagar. In response, the AMC launched a phased inspection campaign to improve food and water safety across the city.

As part of the drive, the civic body made it mandatory for all water tanker suppliers to install chlorine dosing devices to ensure water purity. Of the 194 registered water tanker suppliers in Ahmedabad, 179 have installed the required equipment. Fifteen units—one in the central zone, six in the north, three in the south-west and five in the south zone—were sealed for non-compliance.

Between January 6 and 17, the civic body inspected 1,758 panipuri lorries across the city. Food samples were collected from 137 vendors. Notices were issued to 424 lorries for violations, and fines totalling ₹1.17 lakh were recovered.

The civic body also reported receiving a high number of sanitation-related complaints from 26 identified high-risk areas. These included 1,114 complaints of sewer blockages, 37 cases of water leakage and 25 complaints related to contaminated water.