AHMEDABAD: Authorities sealed eleven tenements at Soham Row Houses in Thaltej for allegedly running paying guest (PG) accommodations without proper authorization from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
The AMC had previously issued notices to these units, urging them to obtain the necessary permissions. However, compliance was not met, leading the estate TDO department in the North West Zone to seal three tenements on December 3 and eight on December 4.
Earlier this year, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP called for legal action against unauthorized PG units during a coordination meeting with MPs and MLAs chaired by the Ahmedabad municipal commissioner. This prompted the AMC to launch an operation to track PG units throughout the city, issuing notices to those not adhering to regulations.
A total of 401 PG units were identified across Ahmedabad, with 385 units operating without police and society NOCs receiving notices. These units were instructed to procure and submit the required NOCs promptly, with a warning of sealing if compliance was not achieved within the given timeline.
A civic official reported that during an investigation in September, 399 PG units were found operational in the city’s western region, while only two were located in the eastern region. Notices were subsequently sent to both eastern PG units and 383 in the west. The initial focus was on larger, commercial PG establishments rather than those in single households within societies, particularly targeting those renting out multiple flats or operating in large bungalows.
In the coming days, the AMC plans to take further sealing actions against PG units in societies that have not obtained the necessary permissions.
