Residents of Safal Vihaan Society in Sanathal allege that ongoing Sanand Highway construction work damaged a major sewage line, leading to untreated wastewater discharge into surrounding areas and open government land.
Residents say the situation has persisted for over a month.
Stagnant sewage water, foul odours and concerns over mosquito-borne diseases have become a daily reality for families living nearby, according to documents and complaints submitted to multiple government agencies.
Society accused of night-time pumping
The dispute has also expanded beyond the damaged drainage infrastructure. Representatives of Safal Vihaan Society allege that Gokuldham Society, located nearby, uses high-pressure pumps to discharge untreated domestic sewage onto adjoining government land, particularly during late-night hours. Residents contend the alleged pumping continues despite repeated complaints, exacerbating environmental and public health concerns in the area.
Ashish Shah, chairman of Safal Vihaan Society, claimed that the sewage network serving approximately 1,000 bungalows in Gokuldham was reportedly affected by the ongoing highway work, resulting in sewage flowing into nearby areas for nearly two months.
"Apart from the unbearable odour, there is a serious risk of groundwater contamination, especially with the monsoon approaching," Shah said. "Many residents in this belt continue to depend on borewell water and groundwater levels are relatively high here," he added.
Residents say they first brought the matter to the attention of authorities in mid-April through formal representations seeking urgent intervention. As the situation allegedly worsened, complaints were also filed with local police and several state agencies. The issue has since reached the state's grievance redressal mechanism, which reportedly issued instructions to local authorities, finally to the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), for further action.
Residents confirmed that during a recent meeting with officials, representatives of Safal Vihaan Society submitted photographs, videos and other evidence related to sewage discharge and its impact on the neighbourhood.
However, despite official correspondence and multiple inspections, residents claim they are yet to receive a permanent solution.
AUDA intervention sought
Residents are demanding immediate intervention by AUDA, arguing that the affected area falls under its jurisdiction. Questions are also being raised about civic infrastructure planning and whether adequate sewage management capacity is assessed before Building Use (BU) permissions are granted to large residential developments in this vicinity, including A-lister developers.
Police have reportedly taken cognisance of complaints related to the alleged pumping activities. Residents say authorities have intervened on several occasions, though they claim violations continue intermittently. Mirror attempted to contact representatives of Gokuldham Society for their response. However, no comment was available at the time of publication.