Ahmedabad Fire Safety at Risk: 193 Vehicles Lack Fitness Certificates

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a shocking revelation that raises serious concerns about public safety, it has come to light that 193 vehicles belonging to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) fire department were operating without mandatory fitness certificates for nearly a decade. These very vehicles are the first responders during fire outbreaks, rescue operations, and emergencies, yet their roadworthiness has been left unchecked for years.

The fire department, entrusted with saving lives, is now under scrutiny for putting citizens at risk. According to sources, fitness certificates were only recently sought after the issue surfaced. Currently, 36 vehicles have obtained the certificates, and officials claim the process for the remaining vehicles will be completed within a week.

When questioned about the potential dangers of deploying unfit vehicles, Chief Fire Officer refrained from giving a direct response, instead brushing off concerns. “If the vehicle does not have a fitness certificate, what problem can arise in emergency calls?” he stated, while reluctantly admitting that 193 vehicles lacked certification for over 10 years.

This admission has sparked outrage among citizens and opposition leaders alike, who argue that such negligence could cost lives if a fire vehicle fails to reach an emergency in time.

Opposition Slams AMC Over Negligence

Leader of Opposition in AMC, Shehzad Khan Pathan, came down heavily on the administration, citing blatant disregard for public safety despite the corporation’s massive resources.

“The annual budget of AMC is ₹15,000 crore. One crore people live here. Yet, out of 193 fire vehicles, 157 are without fitness certificates, and 80 are in poor condition. The ruling party is unwilling to upgrade technology in the fire department. If unfit vehicles are sent for rescue and fail to save lives, who will take responsibility?” Pathan asked.

He further alleged that the ruling party has prioritized politics over essential public safety infrastructure. “The fire department itself is unsafe today. When people’s lives depend on timely emergency response, how can we justify vehicles running without legal clearance for a decade?”

Questions of Accountability

Experts highlight that fitness certificates are not just a bureaucratic formality but a legal requirement to ensure vehicles are mechanically sound and safe to operate. If such critical vehicles are unfit, there is a risk of breakdowns during emergencies, delayed responses, and increased fatalities.

Public safety activists have also demanded accountability, questioning why AMC allowed this lapse to continue for 10 years. Many argue that if private vehicle owners are penalized for not maintaining valid fitness certificates, government vehicles should not be exempt from the law.