Will the AMC Successfully Clear Illegal Settlements Around Chandola Lake?

Ahmedabad, May 19 (NationPress) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to commence the second phase of its extensive demolition initiative around Chandola Lake starting May 20, aiming to bolster efforts toward eliminating illegal encroachments in the vicinity.

This forthcoming operation comes on the heels of the clearance of 1.5 lakh square metres of land during the initial phase undertaken earlier this year. A crucial meeting to assess preparations took place on Monday, attended by senior AMC officials and Police Commissioner G.S. Malik.

The emphasis of this second phase will be on dismantling encroachments from an additional 2.5 lakh square metres, as the municipal authority strives to reclaim public spaces that have increasingly been usurped by unauthorized constructions, many of which are reported to hinder roadways and civic infrastructure.

Chandola Lake's surrounding area has evolved into a hotspot for illegal settlements, with numerous structures allegedly occupied by Bangladeshi nationals.

For security measures, the AMC plans to deploy over 3,000 police personnel alongside 25 State Reserve Police (SRP) teams.

“Our main objective will be to maintain law and order during the demolition,” affirmed Police Commissioner Malik, indicating that the operation is projected to last for the next two to three days.

AMC officials have also announced plans to facilitate housing for eligible families displaced by the initiative as part of the urban resettlement strategy.

The AMC's demolition effort around Chandola Lake is regarded as one of the most significant anti-encroachment campaigns in recent urban history within Gujarat. With over 4 lakh square metres of land (1.5 lakh sq m in Phase 1 and 2.5 lakh sq m in Phase 2) being cleared, this translates to approximately 100 acres, an area larger than 75 football fields.

This extensive reclamation of public land in a densely populated city is unusual and indicates a serious commitment towards reorganizing unregulated areas.

The AMC has formally linked many encroachments to unregistered Bangladeshi migrants, bringing the matter into the national security and illegal immigration spotlight.

In just 2025, 250 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in Ahmedabad, with 207 from the Chandola region, and over 200 have already been deported. This highlights a migrant hotspot in the city, resulting in heightened surveillance and stricter enforcement measures. This situation intersects with broader political discourses around national security, citizenship, and urban law enforcement, transforming this into not merely a civic concern but also a political one.