The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Thursday, 29 October 2026 made it mandatory for sweet, mawa, and farsan traders with an annual turnover exceeding ₹5 lakh to keep rapid food-adulteration testing kits during the Diwali festive season. The directive, aimed at curbing food adulteration and protecting public health, follows recent incidents involving the sale of counterfeit and non-edible substances being passed off as mawa in Ahmedabad.

What the Directive Covers

The order was announced by Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel following the AMC's weekly meeting. The AMC's Health Department has been directed to ensure that the specified traders procure and actively use the kits, which are priced at approximately ₹3,000 each. The kits are designed to detect the presence of starch in mawa as a preliminary quality check — a key marker of adulteration. Notably, the kits are also available to consumers who wish to conduct their own checks on purchased food products. According to Patel, around 350 people have already procured such kits ahead of the festival.

Background: Why This Matters Now

Diwali is among the peak seasons for mawa and mithai consumption across India, making it a period of heightened risk for food adulteration. This comes amid a broader pattern of civic authorities across Indian cities ramping up food-safety enforcement in the weeks before major festivals. The AMC's move signals a shift from purely inspection-based enforcement toward placing verification tools directly in the hands of traders — and consumers.

Water Connections and Safety Audits

The AMC's weekly meeting also addressed several other civic concerns. The corporation decided to intensify inspections targeting water wastage and illegal water connections. High-consumption establishments — including car washing centres, paying guest accommodations, and lodging and boarding facilities with large room counts — will face scrutiny. Departments have been directed to disconnect any illegal connections detected during these inspections in accordance with existing rules.

Separately, the committee called for investigations into the conduct of both officials and contractors in connection with two accidents reported in Ahmedabad over the past 15 days, including one at a sewage treatment plant (STP). According to Patel, the inquiry must determine whether the required safety equipment was available and whether safety standards — including during welding operations — were followed. Importantly, the probe will not be confined to contractors alone; the officials overseeing the work will also face scrutiny for possible negligence.

Kids City Upgrade and Diwali Lighting Cuts

The AMC also approved the modernisation of Kids City at Kankaria Lakefront, which will see the introduction of new attractions including a chocolate factory, a space exploration centre, a 'Khelo India' sports academy, a renewable energy technology centre, an aerodynamics and flight science laboratory, and a drone laboratory.

In a move to conserve electricity, the civic body announced a reduction in public lighting arrangements during Diwali. From Dhanteras to Labh Pancham, illumination will be provided at seven locations — comprising six bridges over the Sabarmati River and the Bhadrakali Mata Temple — down from previous years, which included traffic circles, underpasses, and government buildings. The lighting schedule will also be curtailed from the usual 7 pm–7 am to 7 pm–1 am, except on Diwali night and Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year), when lights will remain on through the night.

With Diwali approaching, the AMC's enforcement posture will be closely watched to see whether rapid-kit compliance among traders translates into measurable reductions in adulteration complaints.