Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), as a matter of policy, does not provide water to commercial establishments in the new west zone. But that does not seem to be a hindrance in providing water to some of its 'pets'.
While hundreds of commercial establishments in newly merged areas are still waiting for water supply from AMC, there are around two dozen commercial establishments, or 'special cases', in the same zone that enjoy water supply from the civic body.
These include private hospitals, self-financed schools, commercial complexes, clubs and restaurants. The civic body has provided water supply to Baleshwar square, Krishashray shopping, Nalanda complex, Gopal Awas shopping, Corporate Petroleum, Karnavati club, Medhas commercial centre, Gormo restaurant, Madhur hotel, Shalby hospital and Vrajesh hospital to name a few.
In contrast, hundreds of commercial complexes, shops, clinics, hospitals and other establishments have to shell out more money for water as the civic body has not formulated any policy for supplying water to commercial establishments. Shopkeepers who operate from residential-cum-commercial buildings of some co-operative societies too are facing water shortage. The power company objected to mixed use of electricity meant only for residential use and forced the residents to stop water supply to these shopkeepers two years ago.
Nitish Bhatt, a shopkeeper in Kanakala, said that they had contacted the civic body but their request was rejected on the ground that the civic body does not provide water to commercial complexes.
When contacted, MD Modia, deputy municipal commissioner of AMC's new west zone, said that the civic body does not face any water scarcity. However, the sumps are too small to cater to the needs of the entire area. Hence, AMC is focusing only on residential areas as of now. He said that the civic body will form a policy to provide water to commercial establishments but it will take six to eight months.
Modia also confirmed that some commercial establishments were considered 'special cases' for supplying water. "However, the decision to provide water to some commercial establishments was taken at the time of inclusion of the new areas within AMC limits. We are supplying water to some schools too," he said
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