Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Faces Intense Scrutiny Over Fire Safety and Stray Dog Management
The general board meeting of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Tuesday was dominated by heated exchanges as the opposition launched a sharp critique of the civic body's handling of two critical public safety issues: escalating property damage from fire incidents and a surge in dog bite cases across the city.
Opposition Highlights Massive Financial Losses from Fire Incidents
Opposition leader Shehzad Khan Pathan presented alarming data, alleging that between the financial years 2019-20 and 2023-24, fire incidents in Ahmedabad resulted in property damage amounting to a staggering Rs 440.91 crore. Pathan directly questioned the AMC's preparedness, pointing to significant staffing shortages within the Fire and Emergency Services department.
He detailed that a total of 316 sanctioned posts remain vacant in the department. Furthermore, of the 18 sanctioned fire station officer positions across the city's 18 fire stations, only six are currently filled, leaving a critical leadership gap. Pathan also highlighted delays in procuring essential equipment, noting that a 100-meter hydraulic platform, approved for purchase one and a half years ago, has still not been delivered to the department.
Surge in Dog Bite Cases Despite Sterilization Efforts
The opposition's scrutiny extended to the management of stray dogs. Pathan cited figures indicating that between 2021-22 and 2025-26, the AMC received approximately 40,000 complaints related to dogs and recorded a shocking 3.41 lakh dog bite cases.
"The civic body spent Rs 13.46 crore on sterilizing 1.38 lakh dogs during this same period," Pathan stated, "yet the number of bite incidents continues to rise alarmingly, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the current strategy."
Civic Body's Defense and Planned Measures
In response to the allegations, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani outlined the AMC's ongoing and planned initiatives to address these concerns.
Regarding fire safety, Dani stated that new fire stations are being planned with a target ratio of one station per 10 square kilometers to improve coverage and response times. He also confirmed that recruitment processes are currently underway to fill the vacant positions in the fire department.
On the issue of stray dogs, Dani informed the board that new dog shelters are being constructed in compliance with the guidelines set by the Supreme Court of India, aiming to provide a more structured and humane approach to animal control and public safety.
The meeting underscored a growing tension between the opposition's demand for accountability and immediate action, and the ruling administration's emphasis on long-term infrastructural planning and procedural compliance to tackle these persistent civic challenges.
