Rajkot, Feb 25 (NationPress) The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has successfully cleared 1,489 illegal encroachments in the Jangleshwar area, freeing up 88,750 square metres of land along a town planning road and the Aji riverbank, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday.

This demolition initiative took place on February 23 and 24 under Town Planning Scheme No. 6, targeting the 15-metre T.P. Road from Bapunagar to Nadodanagar and the adjacent Aji riverbed.

Out of the total area cleared, 33,750 sq m was within the T.P. Road alignment, while 55,000 sq m was along the riverbank.

The land reclaimed is valued at over Rs 350 crore. Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera mentioned that notices under Section 260(1) of the GPMC Act, 1949, were issued to all encroachers, followed by repeated local communications.

“When no action was initiated by the occupants, orders under Section 260(2) were mandated to demolish the illegal structures,” he stated.

As per the civic data, a total of 497 encroachments were removed from the T.P. Road and 992 from the riverbank.

The operation engaged 1,512 officers and staff from various departments of the RMC, aided by vigilance teams and city police to ensure law and order.

Moreover, 261 machines were utilized, resulting in 33,264 human work hours and 5,742 machine hours.

Debris removal is currently in progress. Sumera noted that the area had faced significant challenges during the monsoon season due to the convergence of the Aji and Khokhadadi rivers.

“The 15-metre T.P. Road, which previously hindered the passage of ambulances, fire, and police vehicles, is now clear,” he remarked.

He further stated that flood control will now be more efficient, and emergency service access will be enhanced.

Referring to past flooding incidents, he highlighted that in 2024, over 1,378 individuals were evacuated to safer locations, including 370 rescues, and in previous situations, rescue officials needed assistance from NDRF teams.

Providing a breakdown of the structures demolished, Sumera noted that 800 houses measuring between 50 and 100 square yards and 150 houses exceeding 100 square yards were taken down.

Approximately 200 houses were identified as modern types with similar elevations.

He estimated that 750 houses were valued at over Rs five lakh, with around 250 valued between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh.

Additionally, he mentioned that rooms had been constructed and rented out in the vicinity.

Regarding rehabilitation efforts, Sumera confirmed that the corporation has allocated 36,561 houses across Rajkot, including 813 to residents from Jangleshwar.

“We are providing houses comparable to most in Jangleshwar for as little as Rs two lakh,” he added, revealing plans to construct 30,000 new houses in the city over the upcoming five years.

DCP Hetal Patel stated that police collaboration with the civic body was established from the beginning.

“The goal was to execute demolition without confrontation, utilizing public meetings, peace committees, and mohalla committees,” she explained.

She noted that a higher number of women police personnel were deployed and flag marches were conducted per the Police Commissioner’s directives to avert any incidents.

Patel highlighted that PGVCL employees had previously been unable to access parts of the area.

“Our aim was also to ensure that no one’s sentiments were hurt,” she expressed.

She further mentioned that some rooms were occupied by anti-social elements and that a gang apprehended by the Crime Branch had used Jangleshwar as a hideout.

“The accused rented out rooms to conduct illegal activities. This entire chain of lending rental income on interest will now be disrupted,” she concluded, emphasizing that the operation was executed in a way that avoided any religious or regional tensions.