Ahmedabad Residents Block Road Against AMC Negligence

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Frustration boiled over in the eastern part of the city as residents of Saraspur blocked the road near Arvind Mill on Naroda Road, protesting against the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The locals accused AMC of complete negligence in addressing the recurring problem of overflowing sewerage, which they say has turned their lives into a living nightmare.

For months, residents of several chalis near Arvind Mill have been forced to live with stinking drains and sewage spilling onto streets. Despite repeated complaints to corporators and municipal officials, no permanent solution has been implemented. On Wednesday, angry locals decided enough was enough, blocking the road and bringing traffic to a standstill.

“This is not the first time we have raised our voice. Every few days, the drains overflow, and children fall sick. We are tired of requesting AMC to act. Today, we came on the road because we have no other option,” said Ramesh Chauhan, a resident of Chamundani Chali.

Public Anger Over Health Hazards

Locals alleged that the overflowing sewerage has led to frequent outbreaks of diseases like dengue, malaria, and stomach infections in the area. The unbearable stench and unhygienic conditions have left residents fearing an epidemic.

Rekha Patel, a mother of two, said, “Our children cannot even play outside. The drains overflow, and dirty water flows right into our homes during rains. AMC officials come, take pictures, make false assurances, and disappear. Nothing changes.”

Traffic on Naroda Road was blocked for more than an hour as locals shouted slogans against AMC and demanded accountability from elected corporators.

Officials Rush to the Spot

As the protest intensified, senior AMC officials, including an officer from the engineering department, rushed to the site. They tried to pacify the crowd by assuring that ongoing work on the drainage system would be completed at the earliest.

A senior AMC official claimed, “Work is already underway to resolve the issue near Chamundani Chali. We have instructed our teams to speed up the process. The problem will be solved very quickly.”

However, locals were unconvinced. They pointed out that such promises had been made many times before, yet the situation only worsened.

Protest Highlights AMC’s Failures

Residents accused AMC of ignoring basic civic responsibilities while focusing only on showpiece projects. “The corporation spends crores on beautification, but what about basic needs like drainage and sanitation? We are taxpayers too, and yet our problems are ignored,” said Mahesh Prajapati, another protester.

The protest only ended after officials gave written assurance that the drainage issue would be addressed immediately. Vehicular traffic was restored, but residents vowed to return to the streets if AMC fails to keep its word this time.