Jamnagar: In a major anti-encroachment drive, the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Sunday cleared around 20 long-standing illegal encroachments from its open plots in the Hapa area, reclaiming nearly 1.2 lakh square feet of land.

The operation began on the morning of May 3 and was carried out with support from multiple agencies, including the police, electricity department, fire brigade, and municipal security teams.

A large team comprising four JCB machines, more than five tractors, fire brigade personnel, an electricity team to disconnect power supply, around 30 municipal security staff, and police personnel was deployed to execute the operation. The encroachments, located near the ISKCON Temple in Ward No. 11, were allegedly being used for commercial purposes by nearly 20 individuals for several years.

Officials said prior notices had been issued to the encroachers before the action. “The land was reserved for housing for economically weaker sections, and the administration is taking steps to free such plots from illegal encroachment,” Assistant Commissioner Mukesh Varnava stated.

The civic body has indicated that similar drives will continue in other parts of the city in the coming days to remove illegal constructions and encroachments. DeshGujarat