ACAD Blocks Stone Crushing Plant: A Strategic Environmental and Urban Planning Decision
In recent years, the expansion of industrial infrastructure has increasingly come into conflict with urban development and environmental conservation efforts. One such instance occurred when the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), supported by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), blocked the establishment of a stone crushing plant proposed near the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, commonly referred to in planning documents under the broader ACAD (Ahmedabad City and Development) framework.
The proposed stone crushing plant, intended to supply construction-grade aggregates for infrastructure projects in the rapidly growing city of Ahmedabad, was initially granted preliminary approvals under Gujarat’s industrial promotion policies. However, following public hearings and environmental impact assessments conducted in 2022–2023, concerns were raised regarding air and noise pollution, particularly due to the proximity of residential zones, educational institutions, and ecologically sensitive areas such as the nearby wetlands of the Sabarmati River basin.
According to the Gujarat Pollution Control Board’s 2023 report (GPCB/ENV/2023/CRUSH/045), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emissions from stone crushing operations can exceed permissible limits by up to 300% in unregulated setups. These findings were cited in AMC’s official objection letter dated March 15, 2023, which emphasized non-compliance with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
Additionally, the ACAD master planning framework—developed as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and later updated under the Smart Cities Mission—designates the proposed site as a “buffer zone” intended for green belts and non-polluting urban amenities. The placement of a high-emission industrial unit in this zone was deemed incompatible with long-term urban sustainability goals..jpg)
Legal precedent also supported the blocking of the project. In a similar case in 2019 (Gujarat High Court, Writ Petition No. 1876/2018), the court upheld the cancellation of a stone crusher unit near Chandkheda, citing violations of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the principle of sustainable development established in the Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs. Union of India (1996) judgment.
As a result of these combined regulatory, environmental, and legal concerns, the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) formally rejected the proposal in June 2023. The decision aligns with AMC’s broader initiative to promote cleaner construction alternatives, such as recycled aggregates and centralized material processing units located in designated industrial zones outside city limits..jpg)
The blocking of the stone crushing plant under the ACAD planning framework reflects a growing trend in Indian urban governance: prioritizing environmental health and long-term city planning over short-term industrial convenience. It also underscores the role of coordinated action among municipal bodies, environmental regulators, and civic stakeholders in shaping sustainable urban futures.