Jamnagar: In a massive demolition drive, the district administration, along with Jamnagar Police, cleared around 7.74 lakh square feet of illegally occupied government land, valued at approximately ₹193 crore.

However, during the operation, officials uncovered a dargah in the Bacchunagar area that had been concealed from public view. Built over 11,000 square feet and estimated to be worth ₹2.75 crore, the structure featured marble flooring, several rooms, and a specially designed bathing area, raising questions about the nature of its use. The structure, along with others, was demolished on Sunday.

Jamnagar SP Premsukh Delu said the area had over 600 illegal structures, including residential, commercial, and religious properties. “We demolished 294 structures on June 14 and approximately 400 so far,” he stated, adding that the operation is being carried out in phases.

The district administration carried out the demolition of these illegal structures citing recurring flood threats and plans for riverfront development along the Rangmati river. The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) estimated the value of the cleared land at around ₹193.57 crore.

Speaking about the now-demolished religious structure, reportedly the largest cleared so far, SP Delu said it was fortified like a maze and spanned over 11,000 square feet. It had multiple rooms, one of which featured a bathtub and a sign restricting entry without permission. DeshGujarat