Gujarat HC directs AMC over cleaning of Sabarmati

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat High Court on Monday, November 6, directed the authorities of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to prioritise cleaning of the contaminated Sabarmati river before initiating phase II of the Sabarmati Riverfront project. The water from the Sabarmati River is further used for irrigation and its contamination is the main concern for the court. The court further stated that the water flows down the stream and is used for irrigation, which might contain a high proportion of poisonous and health-hazardous elements such as lead, mercury, etc.  This can further put the health of people consuming these vegetables at risk. While making an appeal to the state and AMC, court asked that keeping the river clean is in the larger interest of people than to have another Riverfront project. The court also mentioned that if the state government wants to continue with the plan, the court will not intervene; however, some amount should be earmarked for overhauling of sewage treatment plants.