Heritage Scam in Ahmedabad Walled City? Councillor Alleges Alterations and TDR Racket Under Repair Pretext
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
AHMEDABAD — A major controversy has erupted in Ahmedabad’s historic Walled City over allegations that heritage properties are being systematically stripped of their original architectural identity under the guise of repair work. Khadia ward corporator Iliyaskhan Pathan has formally written to the Municipal Commissioner, demanding a high-level vigilance probe into what he describes as a calculated racket to exploit heritage rules and rake in massive profits through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR).
How the Loophole is Allegedly Exploited
According to the corporator, property owners within the protected heritage zones are legally required to obtain clearance from the Heritage Committee before undertaking any structural restoration. Furthermore, all repair work must strictly adhere to traditional construction techniques to preserve the city’s centuries-old architectural fabric.
However, Pathan alleges that this mandatory approval process has been subverted. Instead of restoring buildings using lime mortar and traditional woodwork, owners are reportedly employing modern concrete, bricks, and steel girders. Once the structural integrity is altered or the building is pulled down under the pretext of repairs, beneficiaries allegedly cash in by claiming valuable TDR certificates, compromising Ahmedabad's UNESCO World Heritage city status in the process.
The Jadabhagat ni Pol Case Pointed Out
Highlighting a specific instance of alleged malpractice, Pathan drew attention to a property located in Jadabhagat ni Pol within the Dariapur area.
According to his complaint, the property was acquired for ₹15 lakh, following which TDR benefits were allegedly claimed under personal names. Pathan claimed that the reconstruction work flouted all heritage norms, utilizing modern T-girders instead of traditional building methods, which ultimately erased the building's historical footprint.
Records reportedly indicate that the property was purchased in the name of a specific individual's wife, triggering procedural red flags. Following representations made to top civic authorities, the controversial construction site was recently sealed. The corporator is now pressing for an exhaustive vigilance inquiry encompassing the property transaction trail, TDR allocation, and the original building permissions.
