Ahmedabad authorities have issued closure notices to 19 industrial units across Odhav, Vatva, Lambha, Narol, Naroda and nearby areas after inspections found black smoke, chemical odours and suspected burning of tyres, used oil and plastic waste.
The action was ordered by the municipal commissioner after the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Health Department, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) teams and the Air Quality Management Cell inspected industrial pockets from Odhav to Pirana. Officials said the drive was intended to prevent the city’s air pollution from worsening during the Diwali period and the beginning of winter.
Municipal Health Officer Dr Bhavin Solanki said pollution was becoming visibly noticeable in parts of eastern Ahmedabad, particularly along the Odhav-Pirana belt. The report attributed the worsening conditions to industrial emissions, construction activity and vehicle exhaust.
According to the report, inspections were conducted around the Pirana dumping site and in Behrampura, Narol, Gyaspur, Piplaj, Danilimda, Vatva GIDC and Odhav GIDC. Officials observed black smoke from several units and detected chemical smells in the surrounding air. Some units were found operating mainly at night, while inspectors also reported activities that could increase emissions.
The 19 units named in the closure notices include Ambika Plastic and Jay Chemical Industries in Odhav; Amin Alloy in the Narol area; Arpan Aromatics, Associated Dyestuff, Shri Ram Chemical and Ushanti Colorchem in Vatva; MSN Intermediate, Navlam Metal Grinding, Odivandijics and Prime Rolling Industries in the Naroda and Narol industrial areas; and Ratan INV Steel in Vahelal, Daskroi. Notices were also issued to several facilities identified in the report as illegal barrel-burning sheds or factories in and around Devang Estate and Al-Ashra Estate, Narol.
The report said some units were allegedly burning old tyres, waste oil and plastic waste. It did not provide the names of owners or disclose the quantity of emissions attributed to each facility. The notices represent an enforcement action, while further regulatory proceedings and compliance requirements will determine whether the units can resume operations.
The municipal administration has also instructed the power utility to disconnect electricity connections to the units. The Municipal Corporation’s Engineering Department has been asked to check whether water and drainage connections at the premises are legal and to take action where irregularities are found.
The Air Quality Management Cell was created to monitor air quality in different parts of the city, but municipal officials said direct action in some cases requires the involvement of the GPCB. The joint operation therefore places the pollution response across multiple agencies, with the municipal health machinery identifying local sources and the state pollution-control authority participating in enforcement.
The report stated that air quality in four parts of the city was recorded as moderate and in four other areas as satisfactory, but it did not identify those locations or provide specific Air Quality Index readings. Authorities said tree plantation and other measures were also being undertaken with assistance from the central and state governments. The next steps include implementing the closure notices, examining utility connections and continuing inspections in the industrial belt.
