Ahmedabad: AMC begins demolishing illegal structures in Motera amid protest

Ahmedabad: Under tight police security, the estate department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) West Zone on Saturday launched a demolition drive targeting illegal constructions in 37 houses in Shivnagar near Asaram Ashram in Motera.

Authorities began the drive by demolishing unauthorised extensions of more than 17 houses, triggering intense protests from residents — a woman reportedly drank phenyl and was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment, while a man who threatened self-immolation was detained by police.

Despite the fierce resistance, the demolition drive continued, with authorities planning to dismantle the illegal extensions of all 37 houses.

According to the AMC, years ago, the state govt had allocated 50-square-yard plots to 37 families in Shivnagar.

Under the terms of the allotment, beneficiaries were permitted to construct on only 37.50 square yards of their plots, with the remaining 12.50 square yards to be left open.

However, several residents not only built beyond the permitted area within their allocated plots but also encroached upon govt land.

The AMC’s West Zone estate department served legal notices to the residents in accordance with applicable rules. The matter subsequently reached the Gujarat high court, which issued a clear directive ordering the removal of all illegal constructions built beyond the permitted 50-square-yard area.

“Even after residents were notified multiple times following the court order, the unauthorised structures were not removed, prompting Saturday’s action,” an AMC official said.

The AMC has announced that new housing units in Chandkheda will be allocated to the 37 affected families. As an interim arrangement until the new housing is ready, the corporation has offered residents either monthly rental assistance of Rs 10,000 or temporary accommodation in available housing units at Keshavnagar, Chandkheda. Of the 37 families, seven have so far accepted the offered benefits and vacated their premises.