Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation escalated its war on encroachments Tuesday, unleashing bulldozers on over 450 illegal homes and shops flanking Bandervat Lake in Vatva. The pre-dawn assault, policed by 500 personnel, utilized 10 Hitachi excavators and 5-10 JCBs across eight teams for rapid execution.
These structures had encroached upon a protected water body and TP Road, totaling 58,000 square meters of reclaimable land. Flooding and hygiene crises plagued locals, now set for relief via a tri-lake connection project.
DYMC B.C. Parmar explained: ‘Linking Bandervat, Mahalakshmi, and Ropad Lakes will balance water pressure and slash waterlogging risks.’ Surveys logged 430 residences and 30-odd commercial units.
Pre-2010 valid occupants qualify for alternate accommodations through streamlined applications. Emergency shelters house up to 400 families with full amenities and bus shuttles.
‘Public interest demands water body preservation,’ declared Assistant Commissioner Yatendra Naik. This ambitious one-day operation exemplifies AMC’s proactive governance, fostering resilient city planning amid growing urbanization pressures.