HC seeks GHB, AMC response over Naranpura apartment redevelopment irregularities

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has issued notices to the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) and the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) over alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of Amar and Suramya Apartments in Naranpura, including discrepancies in development permissions and the alleged removal of a public garden.

The notices were issued after a petition questioned the development permission granted for the project. The petitioners alleged that permission was obtained using Plot Nos. 354 and 355 instead of Plot No. 350, where Amar Apartments is located. They further alleged that commercial construction was approved on land designated for residential use without the required change-of-use permission.

According to the petition, Plot Nos. 354 and 355 comprise the Nirmal, Pushpak and Green Park societies, while Plot No. 350 is the actual site of Amar Apartments. The petitioners claimed that although Plot No. 350 was not mentioned in the development permission, construction at the site was continuing.

The petitioners also alleged that the AMC approved the plans based on Plot Nos. 354 and 355 and that environmental clearance was similarly obtained for those plots. They questioned why the Housing Board and civic authorities had not acted on the alleged discrepancies.

Another issue raised before the court relates to commercial construction at the project site. The petitioners alleged that the redevelopment was carried out without maintaining the required segregation between existing members’ units and free-sale units, as stipulated in the Housing Board’s tender conditions.

The petition also raised concerns over a public garden spread across around 2,000 square yards on Plot No. 350. The garden, located between Amar, Suramya, Green Park, Nirmal and Pushpak apartments, reportedly had a lawn and several old trees but was allegedly removed from the project plans.

The petitioners claimed that the trees were felled and the garden was closed without any explanation from the AMC or the Housing Board regarding the order or circular authorising the move. They have sought a government inquiry into the alleged irregularities, including the Housing Board’s tender process.

The High Court has sought responses from the concerned authorities on the allegations. DeshGujarat