Rajkot: The East Zone Mamlatdar has issued a final eviction notice to occupants residing on government land in Survey No. 256 of Rajkot, where illegal housing has reportedly been constructed on four final plots under Town Planning (T.P.) Scheme No. 6. The affected areas include Jangleshwar, Nadodanagar, Budhnagar and Radha-Krishnanagar.

According to the Mamlatdar’s office, nearly 1,357 encroachments have come up on the collector’s final plot over the past three to four decades. The district administration has now initiated a major drive to remove these unauthorised structures. Earlier, notices were issued under Section 61, and residents were provided an opportunity for personal hearings. However, most occupants failed to produce valid land ownership documents during the verification process.

On Tuesday, the Mamlatdar issued a final notice under Section 202, directing residents to vacate the land within seven days. Officials warned that if the encroachments are not cleared within the stipulated period, demolition action will be initiated.

Legal process completed in courts

To reclaim nearly one lakh square metres of government land, the East Zone Mamlatdar initially approached the local court in Rajkot by filing a case. Subsequently, with government approval, the matter was taken to the Gujarat High Court, thereby exhausting all legal remedies available to the occupants.

The administration also conducted hearings over five days, December 29, 30 and 31, 2025, and January 8 and 19, 2026 before issuing the final eviction notice.

Residents fear homelessness, seek rehabilitation

Residents claim that nearly 4,000 families, comprising around 20,000 people, have been living in the settlements for several decades. They fear that the demolition drive would render thousands homeless and have appealed for the colonies to be regularised.

The court has reportedly directed authorities to examine the matter under the state government’s Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. Affected residents have demanded alternative accommodation if the eviction process proceeds.