Ahmedabad: Following the recent demolition at Chandola Lake, authorities have now begun a large-scale demolition drive in Rakhiyal. On Thursday, bulldozers rolled into a Gujarat Housing Board plot near Morarji Chowk to remove illegal constructions, including a prayer area used for namaz and around 20 small-scale business units.

More than 350 police personnel, including ACPs and PIs, were deployed to ensure the demolition was carried out peacefully. The encroachments had come up illegally on a common plot reserved under the 1960 housing scheme meant for mill workers. Though a similar demolition was conducted in 2008, illegal structures had resurfaced over the years.

According to officials, several shops and factories had sprung up on the open land, along with a structure designated for namaz. Residents gathered in large numbers to witness the demolition process, which began early in the morning.

Electricity connections found in illegal structures raised questions, mirroring similar irregularities observed during the Chandola Lake operation. Corporator Prakash Gurjar from Bapunagar ward said the operation covered three illegal plots totaling 2,680 sq. meters. The North Zone Estate Department of the AMC assisted in the removal since the Housing Board lacks an estate division of its own.

Gurjar added that fencing will be installed around the land to prevent further encroachments. The reclaimed land is expected to benefit over 5,000 residents living in nearby Housing Board residences.

ACP R.D. Oza confirmed that the demolition was carried out at the request of the Housing Board, with full police support provided to maintain law and order during the operation. DeshGujarat