The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has intensified its action against unauthorised paying guest (PG) accommodations across the city, issuing notices to 385 facilities that were found to be operating without the mandatory approvals. The move comes amid increasing concerns about the growing number of PG establishments being run from residential buildings without adhering to civic and legal requirements.
According to AMC officials, a total of 401 PG facilities were identified during the ongoing citywide survey. Out of these, 385 were found to be operating without the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) from both housing societies and the police. The corporation has warned that failure to comply with the regulations could result in sealing of the establishments.
Most of the PGs under scrutiny are not being run from purpose-built hostels but from apartments and bungalows in cooperative housing societies. Officials pointed out cases where operators have rented multiple flats in a single building and converted them into PG accommodations by subletting them to students and working professionals. Large bungalows have also been used for similar purposes, often without the knowledge or approval of the housing societies concerned.
The corporation clarified that small-scale setups running from a single house have not been targeted at this stage. However, AMC has indicated that with the rising number of complaints from residents, notices will continue to be issued to non-compliant operators.
The issue of unauthorised PGs has been under discussion for the past several months. It was also raised at a recent coordination committee meeting of Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly, chaired by the municipal commissioner. During the meeting, a Rajya Sabha member from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded strict legal action against PG facilities operating without approvals.
Following these discussions, AMC initiated the process of identifying and issuing notices to violators. Standing committee chairman Devang Dani said the Gujarat High Court has also set guidelines for PG units operating within residential areas. He emphasised that out of 401 units identified in Ahmedabad, 385 were clearly in violation of NOC requirements and have been formally served notices.
The requirement of securing both a housing society’s consent and a police NOC is seen as essential in ensuring security, accountability, and harmony within residential communities. Without these approvals, residents often complain about overcrowding, misuse of property, and safety concerns linked to transient occupants.
While acting against violations, AMC is also witnessing a parallel trend of increasing applications for hostel building plan approvals, especially in western Ahmedabad. Officials attribute this to the rapid expansion of educational institutions in the region, which has triggered a growing demand for legitimate and purpose-built student accommodations.
One AMC official explained that when a hostel plan is submitted for approval on a sub-plot created by demolishing a bungalow within a housing society, it also requires an NOC from the society. In addition, a police NOC is mandatory to ensure compliance with safety standards. This process, officials believe, provides a legal route to address the growing demand for student housing without disturbing the residential fabric of neighbourhoods.
Community and social organisations are also responding to the demand by initiating construction of new hostels across the city. These projects are seen as a long-term solution that can cater to the needs of students and professionals while ensuring proper regulation.
The notices to unauthorised PGs highlight the civic body’s attempt to strike a balance between the rising demand for affordable housing options and the concerns of local residents about unregulated accommodations. AMC has indicated that its enforcement drive will continue, with stricter measures being implemented if operators fail to regularise their facilities.
As AMC continues its drive, the outcome will depend on how effectively PG operators comply with legal requirements and how quickly purpose-built hostels can come up to fill the gap. For now, 385 facilities remain under notice, setting the stage for either compliance or closure in the weeks ahead.
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