Poor roads, waterlogging, and unsafe civic systems: AMC’s failures claim 12 lives in 2 months

In the span of 70 days this monsoon, 12 residents of Ahmedabad have lost their lives in incidents linked to civic negligence. Observers note that such a high death toll in a single season has not been reported in recent years. Despite repeated tragedies, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has yet to fix accountability or initiate action against officials.

AMC’s spending and road conditions

The AMC allocates more than ₹1,000 crore annually for resurfacing and constructing roads. However, residents argue that the city’s road conditions are worse than those in villages. Large potholes, persistent waterlogging, and non-functional streetlights are commonly reported, leaving commuters with little choice but to drive with heightened caution.

Lack of accountability

For the first time in the corporation’s history, multiple deaths have been directly attributed to lapses in civic systems. Yet, there has been no official response from the ruling party or municipal leadership. Inquiry committees have not been set up, and no disciplinary action has been taken against responsible officials.

List of incidents

A breakdown of some of the deaths recorded this monsoon highlights the range of civic failures:

June 16, Ghee-Kanta: Jashraj Jagdish Gohil died after being electrocuted by exposed wires of a municipal streetlight near Dudhwali Pol.

June 19 , Nikol (Madhumalti Housing): Jitubhai, who required urgent medical care, could not be reached by an ambulance due to waterlogging. He was transported on a cycle-rickshaw but died during treatment.

June 30, Odhav (Ambikanagar, near Kharicut Canal): Manu Bhai Pitambar Das Panchal was swept away in rainwater. His body was later recovered by the fire brigade.

July 23, Khokhra Crematorium: Deepak Radheshyam Sevta of Chandkheda died after entering a water-filled pit during renovation work to gauge its depth.

Ranip (Balol Nagar): A pillion rider died after falling off a bike on a cement road.

Jamalpur: A garbage collection vehicle dragged a man for 30 feet, causing fatal injuries.

Sarkhej (Shakari Lake): Three teenagers drowned while boating to clear weeds.

Narol (Mutton Gali): A couple riding a moped through waterlogged streets were electrocuted and died.

Illegal constructions add to civic lapses

Apart from infrastructure failures, residents point to the issue of unchecked illegal constructions. In Jashodanagar, a woman died by self-immolation during a demolition drive, raising questions over how the corporation allows such structures to proliferate and how demolitions are carried out.

Public concerns grow

Residents and activists say these incidents underscore serious lapses in the city’s infrastructure management and emergency preparedness. With the monsoon still underway, concerns remain that more lives could be at risk if corrective measures are not urgently taken.