Ahmedabad Air Quality Monitoring Station Targeted in Rs 7.6 Lakh Burglary
In a significant security breach, burglars targeted an air quality monitoring station located near the iconic Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad's Naranpura area. According to an FIR registered with Naranpura police on Wednesday, thieves made off with specialized equipment valued at approximately Rs 7.6 lakh from the facility.
Details of the Incident and Stolen Equipment
The complainant, Sudhir Vishwakarma (31), an executive engineer with Envea Pvt Ltd, revealed that his company operates multiple air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) for the prestigious Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) across Ahmedabad. The compromised Naranpura station is situated within IITM premises adjacent to the stadium and is typically managed during regular working hours by an assigned engineer.
The sequence of events unfolded as follows:
- On August 29, 2025, Vishwakarma was visiting another IITM station at Victoria Garden near Lal Darwaza
- The Naranpura AQMS office was securely locked around 6pm as per standard procedure
- The following day, during routine remote monitoring, officials noticed the system had gone offline
- Initially attributing the disruption to potential power or internet issues, they awaited resolution
- When operations failed to resume, Vishwakarma and a colleague investigated the Naranpura station on August 31 afternoon
Upon arrival, they discovered the office had been thoroughly ransacked. The stolen inventory included:
- A nitrogen cylinder valued at Rs 39,500
- Specialized batteries worth Rs 1.2 lakh
- An external air compressor pump priced at Rs 1.7 lakh
Investigation and Procedural Delays
Vishwakarma explained that the delay in filing the formal police complaint stemmed from necessary procedural requirements. The engineering team needed to obtain proper bills and comprehensive documentation for the stolen equipment from IITM authorities before approaching law enforcement.
Inspector VJ Chavda of Naranpura police confirmed that an active investigation is currently underway. The burglary has raised concerns about the security of critical environmental monitoring infrastructure in the city, particularly facilities operated for esteemed scientific institutions like IITM.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of specialized scientific equipment to theft, potentially impacting air quality data collection and environmental monitoring efforts in Ahmedabad. The stolen components are essential for the proper functioning of the air quality monitoring system, which plays a crucial role in tracking pollution levels and informing public health advisories.
