The air quality in Ahmedabad continues to pose a significant health risk, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) persistently recorded above the 200 mark. The leader of the opposition in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Shehzad Khan Pathan, has squarely placed the blame for this hazardous situation on the civic body's negligence.
Allegations of Civic Negligence
Shehzad Khan Pathan has alleged that the AMC's failure to implement basic pollution control measures in its ongoing infrastructure projects is a primary contributor to the city's poor air. He pointed out that despite the administration spending crores of rupees on initiatives to improve air quality, these efforts are being undermined by its own departments.
Pathan specifically highlighted that crucial dust suppression protocols are being ignored in major AMC projects. These include the construction of bridges, the laying of water and drainage networks, the white-topping of roads, and various housing projects.
The Root of the Problem: Unchecked Dust
"In various AMC projects, pits are dug everywhere, and no attention is paid to prevent dust from rising during this work," stated Pathan. This unchecked dust from construction and excavation sites directly adds to the particulate matter in the air, significantly degrading the AQI.
The opposition leader's statement underscores a critical gap between the AMC's stated goals for clean air and the on-ground reality of its project execution. The lack of simple measures like water sprinkling, covering construction material, and managing debris at these widespread sites is cited as a major failure.
Implications and Public Health Concern
An AQI level above 200 is classified as 'Poor' and can lead to breathing discomfort for most people on prolonged exposure. The consistent breach of this threshold indicates a sustained public health issue for Ahmedabad's residents. Pathan's allegations suggest that the problem is exacerbated by preventable pollution from the city's own development works.
The critique brings into question the coordination and enforcement of environmental norms within the municipal corporation's vast project portfolio. It calls for immediate corrective action and stricter oversight to ensure that development does not come at the cost of the city's breathable air.
