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The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to ban ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants from operating in residential areas due to their impact on air quality. Announced by standing committee chairman Devang Dani, the policy-expected within two months-will mandate relocation of these units to designated non-residential zones. This move follows the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority's new SOP for RMC units, requiring a minimum 3,500 sq. m. land area, GPCB NOC, and annual licensing. Non-compliant units face sealing and ?75,000 penalties. Temporary site-based permissions will be limited to construction duration. The initiative aims to balance infrastructure growth with public health and environmental protection.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is preparing to impose a ban on ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants operating within residential zones, citing their significant contribution to deteriorating air quality. This decision, announced by standing committee chairman Devang Dani during a meeting held last week, is part of the municipal body's broader efforts to address escalating environmental concerns. Advertisement
According to Dani, a comprehensive policy is currently under development, and within the next two months, official directives will be issued to facilitate the relocation of these plants to designated non-residential zones.
This policy shift coincides with the implementation of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority's (Auda) first-ever Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for RMC facilities, introduced on April 9. The new SOP outlines strict guidelines for the establishment and operation of both on-site and off-site RMC units.
As per the revised norms, a facility must have a minimum land area of 3,500 square metres. Operators are also required to pay a licensing fee of INR 50,000, along with a refundable security deposit amounting to INR 5 lakh. Furthermore, obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) is mandatory, and licences must be renewed annually to ensure continued compliance.
Under the updated framework, RMC plants will only be allowed to function in specific zones designated for industrial use, general or prime agricultural activity, and logistical operations. Temporary permissions may be granted for project-specific RMC plants, but such approvals will be valid strictly for the duration of the construction work at the site. This is intended to strike a balance between facilitating infrastructure development and maintaining environmental integrity.
Enforcement measures for non-compliance have also been outlined clearly. Any RMC unit operating without a valid licence will face immediate sealing and incur a penalty of INR 75,000. These stringent actions are meant to deter unauthorized operations and uphold public health and safety standards.
The forthcoming policy from AMC will further clarify the future of RMC plants situated at construction sites within residential areas, where their current status remains uncertain. The shift is part of a broader regulatory reform intended to curb urban air pollution, which has been exacerbated by unregulated concrete mixing operations in densely populated neighbourhoods.
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