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Ahmedabad's Vatva Area Sees Massive Demolition Drive to Free Encroached Lake Land

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation launched a major anti-encroachment drive near Bandarvat lake in the Vatva area, deploying heavy machinery and significant police presence. Officials stated the operation aimed to clear nearly 58,000 square metres of land, including a pond area overtaken by builders for unauthorized construction. During the action, demolition was initiated for approximately 430 residential houses and 30 commercial structures. The corporation has arranged shelter and may provide alternative housing for eligible residents, while a lake-linking project is planned to alleviate waterlogging.

Key Points: Ahmedabad Anti-Encroachment Drive: Over 450 Structures Razed

  • Drive to free illegally occupied lake area
  • 430 houses and 30 shops demolished
  • 58,000 sqm of encroached land cleared
  • Alternative housing for pre-2010 residents with documents
2 min read

Anti-encroachment drive in Ahmedabad's Vatva area, over 450 houses and shops to be razed

AMC clears 58,000 sqm near Bandarvat lake in Vatva, demolishing 430 houses and 30 shops to restore water body and prevent flooding.

"any illegal construction within the water body is not in the public interest - Yatendra Nayak"

Ahmedabad, Jan 20

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation launched a major anti-encroachment drive near Bandarvat lake in the Vatva area of Ahmedabad.

The operation began on Tuesday morning, continued till late evening with adequate police deployment in the area.

According to officials, the drive was undertaken to free the illegally occupied area where many residential houses have been raised without government sanction.

Heavy machinery including JCBs carried out demolition drives to remove the encroachments while the police and municipal as well as administrative teams maintained a close watch on the law and order situation.

According to AMC, a water body existed here, which was overtaken by builders to erect residential houses.

During the action, the demolition of about 430 residential houses and 30 commercial structures was initiated.

Corporation officials said that nearly 58,000 square metres of area, including Vanarvat Lake and TP Road, will be cleared of encroachment.

Of this, nearly 28,000 square metres is the pond area, while the remaining area is TP Road and the surrounding area.

According to AMC officials, 10 large Hitachi machines and 5 to 10 JCBs were deployed in the operation, eight teams are carrying out the operation while about 500 police personnel are monitoring the situation.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner B.C. Parmar said that demolition work is underway at Vanarvat Lake.

He added that a project has been initiated to connect Mahalaxmi Lake, Ropar Lake, and Vanarvat Lake. This will reduce water pressure in the area and provide relief from waterlogging during the rainy season.

He also told that under the corporation's policy, those who lived here before 2010 and possess valid documents will be provided with alternative housing.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Yatendra Nayak told media persons that this entire area was a pond, and any illegal construction within the water body is not in the public interest.

"The corporation has also arranged for a shelter home, which can accommodate 300 to 400 families. Food and water are also provided there," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My heart goes out to the families. Where will they go now? A shelter home for 300-400 families is a temporary fix. The government should have planned the rehabilitation *before* the demolition. Restoring lakes is important, but so is humanity.
A
Aman W
Finally! Illegal encroachment on lakes is why our cities flood every monsoon. We need more such drives across India. Kudos to AMC for taking action, though it's late. Hope the lake restoration project brings real relief to Ahmedabad.
S
Sarah B
Watching this from abroad, it's a complex issue. The environmental need is clear, but the scale of displacement is massive. The provision of food and water at the shelter is basic. I hope there's a proper, long-term resettlement plan in place.
V
Vikram M
The real question is, how did builders manage to construct 450+ structures illegally in the first place? Where were the authorities then? This drive feels like treating the symptom, not the disease. The corruption that allows this needs to be rooted out.
N
Nisha Z
Connecting Mahalaxmi, Ropar, and Vanarvat lakes is a brilliant long-term plan for the city's water management. It's painful for the residents, but sometimes for the greater good, tough decisions are needed. Hope the rehabilitation is swift and fair.

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