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Key Points

Jamnagar authorities have demolished over 600 illegal structures worth Rs 193 crore in a major anti-encroachment drive along the Rangmati riverfront. The operation included razing a maze-like 11,000 sq ft dargah with marble flooring and restricted access zones. Similar large-scale demolitions are underway in Ahmedabad to reclaim lakefronts and reserved plots from encroachers. Officials stress these drives are crucial for flood prevention and urban development projects across Gujarat.

Key Points: Jamnagar clears 7.74 lakh sq ft illegal encroachments worth Rs 193 cr

  • Jamnagar administration clears 7.74 lakh sq ft of illegal riverfront encroachments
  • 600+ structures demolished including fortified 11,000 sq ft dargah
  • Drive aims to reduce flood risks and enable riverfront development
  • Similar anti-encroachment operations intensify in Ahmedabad lake areas
3 min read

Over 7 lakh Sq Ft of illegal encroachments cleared in Jamnagar; land worth Rs 193 cr reclaimed

Jamnagar reclaims Rs 193 crore worth of government land in anti-encroachment drive, demolishing 600+ illegal structures along Rangmati riverfront.

"We demolished 294 structures on June 14, and close to 400 so far – SP Premsukh Delu"

Jamnagar, June 17

In an anti-encroachment drive, the Jamnagar district administration and police have cleared nearly 7.74 lakh square feet of illegally-occupied government land, estimated to be worth Rs 193.57 crore, along the Rangmati riverfront.

The demolition is part of a phased operation to mitigate flood risks and pave the way for the city’s riverfront development project.

Jamnagar Superintendent of Police, Premsukh Delu, said the area had over 600 illegal structures, including residential, commercial, and religious encroachments.

“We demolished 294 structures on June 14, and close to 400 so far,” SP Delu said, noting that the operation will continue in phases.

He described the recently razed dargah as one of the most fortified structures encountered, likening its layout to a maze.

During the latest phase of the drive, officials uncovered a dargah in the Bacchunagar area, spread over 11,000 square feet. The structure, valued at around Rs 2.75 crore, had marble flooring, several rooms, and a designated bathing area.

According to police officials, the elaborate construction and restricted entry signage inside raised questions about the nature and purpose of the facility. The structure was among those demolished during the operation.

The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, in coordination with the district administration, has reiterated that all actions are in line with long-term plans to develop flood-resilient infrastructure and reclaim public land.

Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with the ongoing clearance efforts and have set up monitoring units to prevent re-encroachment in the cleared zones.

Meanwhile, in a concerted effort to reclaim public land and bolster flood resilience, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), supported by the police force, has intensified demolition operations across the city’s lakefronts and reserved plots.

In its latest operation on June 11, the AMC’s estate TDO department in the North-West Zone demolished 14 unauthorised structures on a plot in Sola and another on a reserved garden plot in Chharodi. These removals form part of a broader campaign to reclaim encroached reservation lands and preserve green spaces.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing multi-phase drive near Chandola Lake, authorities have already cleared 1.5 lakh sq mt of encroached land by demolishing approximately 4,000 shanties, with Phase 2 now underway to reclaim an additional 2.5 lakh sq mt.

The operation involves upwards of 3,000 police personnel, 60 JCBs, 40 cranes, and two shifts of 25 SRP companies, aiming to ensure both security and pace.

Earlier, AMC reclaimed 1,450 sq mt near Malek Saban Lake in Bapunagar, razing 450 illegal homes with a team of 800 North Zone staff and police support.

The civic body has also asked authorities to free up several lake beds currently occupied by police posts and public offices — pointing out that government structures themselves have encroached on more than 10 lakes citywide, hindering restoration efforts.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rahul K.
Finally some action against illegal encroachments! This is long overdue. Our rivers and lakes have suffered too much because of such unauthorized constructions. Hope they maintain this momentum across Gujarat. 👍
P
Priya M.
While I support removing illegal structures, I hope proper rehabilitation was done for the poor families affected. Development shouldn't come at the cost of leaving people homeless. The article doesn't mention any compensation or alternative arrangements.
A
Amit S.
The scale of encroachment is shocking - 7 lakh sq ft! Shows how weak our enforcement has been all these years. Now that action is being taken, we must ensure these areas don't get occupied again. Regular monitoring is crucial.
N
Neha P.
The riverfront development project sounds promising, but I hope they involve environmental experts. Just clearing land isn't enough - we need sustainable planning that preserves the natural ecosystem while developing the area.
V
Vikram J.
Interesting that government offices themselves have encroached on lake beds! Charity should begin at home. First clear all government encroachments before targeting citizens. This selective action raises questions about fairness.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from Jamnagar, I've seen how these encroachments worsened flooding every monsoon. The demolition was tough but necessary. Just hope the riverfront development benefits all citizens and doesn't become another elite space like some other cities.

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