Amid rising traffic and parking issues in Ahmedabad, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani gave a strong message to his deputy municipal commissioners on Wednesday: get out of your air-conditioned cars and walk like ordinary citizens. Only then, he said, will they understand how difficult it is for people to find parking on busy roads.
During a review meeting, when a deputy commissioner said that the corporation has parking software but citizens do not, the commissioner instructed officials to create a public-friendly system. This system should show parking locations, available spots, and parking charges.
“If you work only 20%, take only 20% salary.”
The commissioner expressed frustration at incomplete work. When the Urban Development deputy commissioner said that only 20% of the assigned tasks were done, he responded, “Then take only 20% salary. If you take full salary, you must give 100% work.”
He also questioned the deputy health officers of the East and South zones for the slow pace of fieldwork despite rising disease cases, asking if they were “sleeping”.
Delays in fire stations, drainage complaints, civic lapses
On the issue of new fire stations, the Fire Department deputy commissioner said that five required plots were still not in their possession. Pani instructed him to work with the Estate Department, clear encroachments if necessary, and begin construction immediately.
With complaints rising about drainage backflow in several North Zone wards, he told the deputy commissioner to visit the affected areas and educate residents not to throw cloth, rags, or waste into drainage lines.
Seal hospitals without BU approval or fire NOC
The commissioner also asked for details of hospitals operating without Building Use (BU) permission. The Estate Officer said that many old buildings with hospitals of 20 or more beds are running without BU approval.
Pani then ordered a joint drive by the Fire and Estate Departments to identify and seal all hospitals lacking BU permission or fire NOC, regardless of how old the building is.