Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner reviewed several civic issues, including pollution control, maintenance of public facilities, traffic management and removal of encroachments, during a meeting with senior officials on Wednesday.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of Deputy Commissioners and other concerned officials, the Commissioner criticised delays and lapses in their work. He reportedly remarked that such issues had not arisen during the tenure of the previous Deputy Commissioners and directed officials to improve their functioning.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), where measures to control pollution were discussed.
The Commissioner directed officials to seal construction sites operating in violation of prescribed norms in the airport and Raikhad areas. He also instructed the concerned departments to seize vehicles that are more than 15 years old. He stressed the need for coordinated action among departments to strengthen pollution control measures.
Bus stop markings to be completed at 4,500 locations
Reviewing the city’s public transport infrastructure, the Commissioner directed officials to expedite the work of marking designated stopping areas at 4,500 bus stops.
The markings are intended to ensure that buses halt at designated locations, improve traffic discipline and prevent unnecessary obstruction on roads. Officials were asked to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.
Show-cause notices for failure to remove encroachments
The Commissioner also reviewed the removal of encroachments from roads, particularly around underground utility infrastructure and vegetable markets.
He warned that officials who failed to clear the encroachments could face show-cause notices. The meeting also discussed fixing accountability for negligence and delays in carrying out the removal drive.
Officials pulled up over poor maintenance of public toilets
The meeting began with a presentation on the condition and maintenance of public toilet blocks across the city. Several deficiencies were identified, particularly in the East Zone.
The shortcomings included inadequate painting and maintenance, along with damaged or poorly maintained doors, windows, lighting systems and pipelines.
The Commissioner expressed displeasure over the lack of effective action against contractors responsible for maintaining these facilities and instructed Deputy Commissioners to ensure accountability. Officials were also directed to remove encroachments around public toilets.
The civic body plans to construct 52 new public toilet blocks, of which 27 locations have already been identified. The Commissioner directed officials to expedite the tendering process so that construction can begin. Additionally, the vigilance team will conduct a survey to assess the actual condition of smart toilets across the city.
Waste segregation reaches 76%; digitalisation work nearly complete
During the review of solid waste management, officials informed the Commissioner that 76 per cent of the city’s waste is currently being segregated. They also reported that the digitalisation process is nearing completion.
Under the civic body’s ‘Samvedana’ initiative, vehicles will collect reusable items from housing societies and malls that generate bulk waste. These items will subsequently be distributed among underprivileged and needy families.
The meeting also discussed social welfare and educational initiatives. More than 2,000 books collected during a book fair will be distributed among children of sanitation workers associated with the Municipal Safai Kamdar Welfare Board.
The Commissioner further directed officials to organise training programmes for students and parents to promote civic responsibility and awareness among children studying in municipal schools from an early age.