In light of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Gujarat High Court over pollution of the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner M Thennarasan has ordered sealing of 78 industrial units in Narol that operated without Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and AMC approval.
These units were found to be discharging chemically contaminated water into the AMC’s sewage line passing through Narol at night. To curb this practice water and drainage connections to these units have also been disconnected.
The issue of Sabarmati River pollution was discussed in a weekly review meeting chaired by the municipal commissioner. During the meeting, it was decided that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) should be enforced to prevent industrial effluents from being discharged into AMC’s sewage lines.
Responsibility for this task has been assigned to deputy municipal commissioners, assistant municipal commissioners, and other officials.
Thennarasan issued directives to take action against all unapproved industrial units following reports of unauthorised operations in Narol.
Previously, AMC had taken action against industrial units in Narol and Danilimda for polluting the Sabarmati River. However, the seals on these units were eventually removed.
The review meeting also called for a thorough inspection of all sewage treatment plants under AMC’s jurisdiction, including assessments of capacity, inlets, and outlets, with a report to be submitted for further action.