AMC EWS housing allotment sparks row as families refuse to shift across community-majority areas

Ahmedabad's EWS housing scheme has sparked a fresh controversy after beneficiaries refused to move into homes allotted through the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's random allocation system.

The issue was raised by Jamalpur-Khadia MLA Imran Khedawala during the AMC coordination meeting, claiming that Muslim families have been allotted houses in Hindu-majority localities, while Hindu families have received homes in Muslim-majority areas. According to him, many beneficiaries are reluctant to relocate due to concerns over safety and social acceptance, leaving several houses vacant despite being allotted.

'Families unwilling to shift'

Khedawala said around 50 Muslim families were allotted homes among nearly 1,500 Hindu families in Odhav and Naroda, while Hindu beneficiaries received houses in Muslim-majority areas such as Sarkhej. He claimed the fear of living in unfamiliar community-majority neighbourhoods has discouraged many families from occupying their homes.

MLA seeks community-based allotment

To prevent houses from remaining vacant, Khedawala urged the Municipal Commissioner to consider the demographic profile of localities during future allotments instead of relying solely on random allocation. He argued that such an approach would improve occupancy and help beneficiaries settle without fear.

Other issues raised at the coordination meeting

Apart from the housing issue, Khedawala also highlighted delays in water connections under the 'Nal Se Jal' scheme in Sarkhej despite residents having completed the required formalities and payments. He also sought Rs 5 lakh compensation for the family of the youth who died after a tree fell in Khanpur and demanded trimming of dangerous trees during the monsoon.

He further called for the removal of the BRTS lane between Kalupur and Victoria Garden and urged AMC to fill vacant technical supervisor and assistant engineer posts to ensure civic projects are completed on time.

Call for dedicated engineering deputy commissioner

Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah also made several recommendations during the meeting. He said Ahmedabad, with an area of nearly 500 sq km and an annual budget exceeding Rs 18,000 crore, should have a dedicated Deputy Municipal Commissioner for the engineering department.

Shah also sought restoration of a digital measurement and pipeline-record system, saying online records of civic works would improve transparency, allow public access to project details and reduce the scope for corruption.