AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s sealing of six textile units in Narol and Vatva industrial zones 10 days ago, triggered angry protest at the corporation’s Usmanpura office on Thursday afternoon. Municipal commissioner IP Gautam was also forced to call for police protection.

Representatives from The Ahmedabad Textile Processors’ Association met with commissioner Gautam, demanding immediate re-opening orders for the six factories. However, following Gautam’s refusal to do so without consulting Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the Association brought other members along with factory workers together at the Usmanpura municipal corporation office and indulged in sloganeering.

On July 13, when a team of officials from AMC and GPCB had conducted a drive to hunt down illegal drainage connections on the Naroda-Pirana mega pipeline and the 1,400 mm domestic line passing from Jashoda Chowdi to Hotel Cosy in Narol. They had found two illegal connections, of 24 inches and 18 inches respectively, on the domestic line following which they had lodged FIRs and sealed six units, namely Mukesh Industries, Rupali Dyeing and Printing, Roop Textiles, Vinny Overseas, BNP Textiles and Mahalakshmi.

“AMC has no proof that the drainage connections were illegal. Instead of immediately revoking the order, the commissioner was rude,” said Naresh Sharma, vice-president of the Association. Gautam said that the units were sealed after verification of their illegal drainage connection status.

Source by timesofindia.indiatimes.com – Ahmedabad News Source Center