Vadodara: In the aftermath of the floods that submerged the city of Vadodara in August, the city’s civic body has issued notices to 10 entities for encroaching on public land. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation has given a 72-hour ultimatum to these entities to give reply to notices, stating that constructions done without leaving the required margin shall be demolished.

Encroachments at Smriti Mandir, Maryland Party Plot, and the club house and compound wall of Agora Mall are to be cleared if reply of notices pertaining to these constructions and their legality are not found satisfactory. Notices have been also served to Global School, Karelibaug Estate, and Kashiba Children’s Hospital among others.

Speaking to the media, the Municipal Commissioner of the VMC said, “We have conducted three surveys of the Vishwamitri River, from where it enters the city to where it exits, using drones. After checking revenue records, town planning records, and visiting these places, around 10 notices have been served. Some places had encroachments, while some buildings had not left the required margin. A notice has been served to Agora Mall to demolish the clubhouse. Global School and other buildings that violated margin rules have been issued notices with a 72-hour deadline. If these entities do not comply with the notices, the civic body will take strict action against them.”

Regarding BJP corporator Parakramsinh’s bungalow, the Municipal Commissioner replied that it is away from river but gazebo and other construction was in margin area which is demolished by the person himself. The bungalow has zone change permission, non-agriculture land granted and raja-chitthi(permission letter), meaning all legal doccuments in place.

Regarding the enchrochment linked to Bhukhi kaans(drainage way), the Commissioner said that 15 meters margin notices linked to Bhukhi kaans will be served in future. He said Bhukhi has TP and non TP areas. In non TP areas, margins of constructions are surveyed and those in violations will be served notices. The Municipal Commissioner further informed that in certain propery there’s court stay and status quo is mandated.  DeshGujarat