Ahmedabad: Vishal Bhatt, 35, an event management company owner, along with his wife Khushbu and their three-year-old son, battles the effects of industrial pollution. Health issues and a compromised living environment are forcing them to consider relocating to the Ranip area.
“Why does the municipal corporation make town planning maps that allow residential areas to come up so close to industrial zones, especially chemical ones? Isn’t it a major policy flaw?” asks Vishal.
Vishal, a resident of Vinzol, speaks to TOI about the problems they faced since moving into Sarthi Heritage apartment in 2022. “The pollution is so bad that a white shirt left to dry on the terrace turns yellowish,” Vishal stated, highlighting the severity of the issue.
The primary source of the pollution, according to Vishal, is the nearby Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) area, located 300-500 metres from his home. He notes that companies in the area typically release pollutants after 11pm, causing significant air pollution. “At night, one could smell it. The situation came to a head when a technical issue of a valve malfunction at one of the factories caused a blue powder to spread across his apartment area, coating everything,” says Vishal.
“When we mopped the floor, the water turned blue, and our feet were blue. It felt like a blue sheet was laid everywhere,” Khushbu recalls. This happens once every six to eight months until somebody complains to the GIDC and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).
“We are worried for our child. We leave our son at my mother’s place at New Ranip till afternoon, at least twice a week, to escape this air pollution,” Khushbu confesses. The pollution is taking a toll on the family’s health. Vishal’s wife, Khushbu, suffers from a persistent cough. According to Vishal, “She has a lot of cough and mucus, which is due to the pollution.” Neighbours have also experienced health issues, with some moving away. “One family moved back to Baroda because of the pollution, and another family sold their house after experiencing respiratory issues.” Vishal himself is considering spending more time at his other residence in Ranip due to the pollution.
Vishal has some ideas to remedy the problem. He believes that the local govt should not pass town planning (TP) plans for residential areas near industrial zones. “If you are thinking of development and job opportunities for people, then do not pass TP plans near industrial areas,” he said. Vishal also advocates for stricter regulations and criteria for renewing licences of chemical-based companies, suggesting that they should be located far from residential areas.