Residents of Naranpura area around AEC crossroad on Tuesday morning blocked the 132-foot road and the BRTS track for close to 30 minutes leading to heavy traffic congestion. The protest took place over the AMC setting up a dumping site for demolition waste.The AMC had set up several dumping sites for disposal of construction waste and debris generated during demolition of old buildings in different parts of the city. Near the AEC crossroad in Naranpura, a dump site was set up on an open plot belonging to the AMC. Local residents have been objecting to this citing dust pollution and other issues.Talking to Mirror, local resident Hiraben Parikh said, “Dumping of construction waste has polluted the air here. Our homes also get filled with dust every day, and during night time the sound of the tempo is unbearable.”The residents have made several complaints to AMC in the past but no concrete action has been taken about the dumping site. On Tuesday morning, local residents gathered on the 132-foot road, blocking it as well as the BRTS bus route. Protestors shouted slogans against the AMC. Police officials rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protestors but to no avail.Later, local BJP corporators which also includes deputy mayor Geetaben Patel visited the spot. Protesters were pacified only after assurance was given that the issue would be sorted out within 10 days.Geetaben Patel said, “A discussion on this issue has taken place in the AMC standing committee. The process of closing the dump site got blocked over some technical issues. The dumping site will be closed soon, and a gate and a wall will be built on the ground. Whatever debris has gathered, will be removed.”
Ahmedabad: The official dump of building debris at AEC crossroads at Naranpura is becoming a major bone of contention for almost 70-odd societies that are located near the site. Peeved by the inaction of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, residents sat in protest and blocked the main thoroughfare during peak hours on Tuesday morning.The large plot of land located at the crossroads is being been used as a ‘transfer station’ for construction waste. The site stages the waste temporarily before it is finally shifted to the Pirana dumpyard for recycling and processing. Municipal authorities have assured the residents that the area will be cleared within 10 days. “Yet, the debris lies here for several days and contractors do not attend to it. Dust from the debris blows into our societies. There is noise pollution because trucks constantly unload large amounts of debris at the site, which sometimes continues late into the night,” says Pratik Soni who lives in a society near Ghanshyam Park in Naranpura. Residents claim that several requests made to deputy mayor Gita Patel, who is also a municipal councillor representing Naranpura and lives a few hundred metres away from the dumpsite, did not yield results. Harsh Shah, a resident of Nirman Park, says, “We have demanded that the dumping site be removed from near AEC Crossroads. They cannot continue to harass us like this. We had even petitioned the state human rights commission to intervene and pressurize the municipal corporation to remove the site.”
AHMEDABAD: Even after an extensive vaccination drive in the city that started mid-September, as many as 9 lakh eligible citizens have still not taken the second dose of Covid 19 vaccine. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) data shows that as many as 9,30,754 people in the city remain partially vaccinated. Of this, 2,58,314 beneficiaries are overdue by more than six weeks for their second dose. In an extensive vaccination drive from September 17, AMC set up vaccination booths at various public buildings, AMTS, BRTS stops, and shopping malls. The civic body also converted five AMTS and one BRTS bus into mobile vaccination centres. The civic body started doorstep vaccination service for those who were physically challenged or aged 50 and above. âDespite all our efforts, it is very unfortunate that the city still has over 9 lakh people who have shown carelessness by not taking their second dose. At a time when we are witnessing a surge in Covid cases in other states in the country, this definitely is not the time to show such negligence,â said a senior AMC official. The official said that the highest number of overdue vaccinated people, 1,60,192, are from North Zone that includes areas such as Sardarnagar, Krishnagar, Saijpur, Naroda and Kubernagar. âThe second highest number of people who have not yet taken their second dose are residents of West Zone where 1,52,890 are yet to take the second vaccine dose,â the official said. Areas including Navrangpura, Paldi, Naranpura, Vadaj and Sabarmati fall under AMCâs west zone. The official said that as of November 11, AMC has administered a total of 73.84 lakh vaccine doses in the city out of which 46.91 lakh were first doses while the remaining 26.93 lakh were second doses of vaccine. âTo increase second dose coverage we have now decided against allowing people entry to AMC-run public facilities and will also request other private organizations to do the same,â the official said. He added that those who have not taken the second dose and want to will be directed to the nearest booth to take their second dose.
There are 9.3 lakh (9,30,754) people in the city jurisdiction who have not taken the second dose of the Covid vaccine even after the due date.Of these, 3.21 lakh people are late by 14 days past their appointment for the second dose, 2.84 lakh have waited 15-28 days beyond the due date. A further 65,689 people have not taken the second dose even after 29-42 days. There are many whose due date lapsed more than 42 days ago.According to a statement by the AMC, 73,84,603 doses have been administered in the city of which 46,91,647 were first doses and 26,93,046 second doses.In order to encourage complete immunisation, the AMC on Thursday said only those who could provide the vaccine certificate would be allowed to use services such as AMTS, BRTS, Kankaria Lakefront and Zoo, Sabarmati Riverfront, library, swimming pools, sports complexes, civic centres and all AMC buildings. This will come into effect from November 12, 2021.32L without second jab in stateMore than 32 lakh people in the state have not taken their second jabs. Of the total eligible population 92% have taken their first dose while 52% have taken both the doses, Minister of State for Health Rishikesh Patel said.He said that the state will launch a door-to-door campaign and ensure that maximum vaccination is done. In a video conference with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday, Patel gave information about the total vaccination in the state. The Centre has directed all states to mop up strategies for strengthening the vaccination programme. Accordingly the state health department will form teams for door-to-door campaigns.Both jabs needed to board AMTS, BRTSTo encourage total immunisation, AMC on Thursday said that only those who have taken their second dose of vaccine will be allowed to board BRTS buses from Friday.Vaccination centres will be set up near the bus stops for passengers to avail of their second dose and ride the bus. Passengers will have to show their certificate at the ticket counter. At 163 bus stops, 40 ex-servicemen, 170 security guards, 180 ticketing staff will carry out checks at bus stops. Only those who provide vaccine certificate would be allowed to use services such as AMTS, BRTS, Kankaria lakefront, zoo, Sabarmati Riverfront, library, swimming pools, sports complexes, civic centres and all AMC buildings from Friday.