Why Did the Gujarat AMC Demolish 400 Illegal Huts?

Synopsis
In a decisive move, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has dismantled over 400 illegal huts in Akbarnagar, marking a significant step towards reclaiming public land and preventing future encroachments. This operation, backed by extensive police security, is aimed at enhancing urban development and community safety.
Key Takeaways
- The AMC demolished over 400 illegal structures in Akbarnagar.
- The operation cleared around 15,000 square meters of municipal land.
- Heavy machinery was utilized to complete the operation swiftly.
- Extensive police security ensured the operation proceeded without incident.
- Future plans include developing public amenities on the reclaimed land.
Ahmedabad, May 29 (NationPress) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in Gujarat has demolished over 400 unlawful structures in Akbarnagar, a crowded community located in the Bapunagar region, adjacent to the SP office near Ajit Mill crossroads.
This operation, conducted by the AMC’s Estate Department, was executed under rigorous police protection and cleared around 15,000 square meters of government land.
The demolition commenced early in the day and was finalized within two hours, utilizing a range of heavy machinery including five JCBs, two Hitachi breakers, seven Hitachi machines, and 14 additional heavy-duty vehicles.
Around 100 workers were recruited to facilitate the clearance. Currently, debris is being removed, and preparations are underway for the construction of a boundary wall designed to deter future encroachments.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vishal Khanama, who oversaw the operation, indicated that the action was taken following the distribution of eviction notices to residents. He mentioned that this was not the first endeavor to rehabilitate the settlement.
“In 2014, housing was provided to 221 families from Akbarnagar in Vatwa, but 76 families returned and continued to occupy this land unlawfully,” he explained.
The AMC asserts that the demolition was executed in compliance with legal procedures. Officials noted that the area had been marked for encroachment removal for a long time, and this clearance was vital for reclaiming public land.
Extensive security measures were implemented to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) R.D. Ojha from H Division reported that the security deployment included two ACPs, nine Police Inspectors, 27 Sub-Inspectors, nearly 400 constables, and 10 units of the State Reserve Police (SRP).
“The operation concluded without any notable resistance or incidents,” he reported.
The AMC officials stated that the reclaimed land may soon be transformed into public facilities such as a library, a park, and a ward office.
Plans are being developed, and construction of the boundary wall is anticipated to commence shortly to safeguard the site against future encroachments.