Ahmedabad’s Vatva area witnessed a massive anti-encroachment drive on Tuesday as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) swung into action near the Bandervat Lake. Heavy machinery rolled in at dawn, backed by a strong police presence to ensure smooth operations.
The operation targeted long-standing illegal constructions that have choked the natural water body, leading to chronic flooding and sanitation issues in surrounding neighborhoods. JCBs and Hitachi excavators demolished around 430 residential units and 30 commercial structures, clearing over 58,000 square meters of land.
AMC officials emphasized that the entire zone belongs to the lake and TP Road buffer. ‘This is crucial for restoring the water body’s integrity and connecting it to Mahalakshmi and Ropad Lakes under a major urban drainage project,’ said DYMC B.C. Parmar.
To minimize hardship, the corporation is offering alternative housing to pre-2010 residents with valid documents. Shelter homes accommodating 300-400 families have been arranged, complete with meals and transportation via buses if needed.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Yatendra Naik underscored the public interest: ‘Encroachments on water bodies harm everyone. We’re committed to completing this in a single day with 10 Hitachi machines, 10 JCBs, eight teams, and 500 police personnel.’
This bold move signals AMC’s renewed push against urban encroachments, promising better flood management and cleaner environs for Vatva residents.