Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has initiated land acquisition from three ashrams to develop the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave and Olympic facilities near Motera. Eviction notices have been issued for nearly 140 acres of land, with Asaram Ashram accounting for around 120 acres and the remaining area split between Bharatiya Sewa Samaj and Sadashiv Pragya Mandal.

The district collector’s office has accused Asaram Ashram of encroaching on government land and using it commercially, contrary to its stated charitable purpose. While the government had earmarked the land for sports infrastructure last year, procedural delays stalled the process. Notices were finally served last week. A three-member committee comprising the AMC Commissioner, AUDA CEO, and Ahmedabad Collector has been formed to handle compensation—either in the form of alternate land or monetary payment. However, negotiations face challenges as the government is reluctant to offer prime land, citing the current illegal occupation.

The Olympic master plan includes 280 acres for sporting facilities, 240 acres for the Olympic Village, and 50 acres along the Sabarmati Riverfront for supporting infrastructure—spanning a total of 650 acres across Motera, Sughad, Bhat, and Koteshwar. DeshGujarat