1.5 lakh sq m cleared as AMC razes 4000 structures in Chandola area

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) carried out a large-scale demolition operation around Chandola Lake in Danilimda, clearing more than 1.5 lakh square metres of land over two days. This included demolishing more than 4,000 illegal structures, including huts and permanent buildings, which had been constructed on government land over the past decade. 

The demolition drive began on Tuesday, when AMC cleared 1,00,000 square metres of encroached land. On Wednesday, 50,000 more square metres were cleared, with the operation involving around 50 teams equipped with bulldozers, dumpers, and trucks. The operation led to chaos in the area, particularly in Dhorwada, where residents scrambled to salvage their belongings as bulldozers moved in.

Despite the urgency of the operation, a tense moment occurred before the demolition began on Wednesday morning, when a police officer reprimanded an AMC deputy TDO for moving heavy machinery without police approval. “The machinery was moved without prior notification to the police, and the ACP questioned the urgency, ordering a halt until proper clearance was granted,” said a person. 

Back in 2015, the AMC was allocated more than 2 lakh square metres of land to develop the area around Chandola Lake. However, despite increasing encroachments, the civic body had largely failed to take action until now. The area, under the jurisdiction of the South Zone, saw the construction of illegal homes, huts, and religious structures, allegedly with the tacit approval of some AMC officials and middlemen.

In response to fears of re-encroachment, AMC’s Estate Department has initiated a survey to construct a permanent boundary wall around the lake. Officials, along with a private agency, have already begun mapping the area in an effort to prevent future encroachments.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting about the role of law enforcement in the encroachments. According to reports, illegal Bangladeshi migrants had been residing in the area and were reportedly involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering. These activities allegedly went unnoticed by the police, despite the proximity of police stations in Surya Nagar and Isanpur.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting about the role of law enforcement in the encroachments. According to reports, illegal Bangladeshi migrants had been residing in the area and were reportedly involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering. These activities allegedly went unnoticed by the police, despite the proximity of police stations in Surya Nagar and Isanpur.

A source within the Gujarat Police confirmed the presence of sleeper cells linked to Al-Qaeda in the area, and questioned why authorities had failed to address these issues sooner. The question remains: Why did the police only take action now, after years of illegal activities?

“This is a long-overdue operation. There are numerous questions about how these encroachments were allowed to thrive for so many years,” said one local resident.

Mafia links and fake IDs: Pathan on 14-day remand

As part of the crackdown, city police arrested Fateh Mohammed Pathan (39), son of alleged local mafia figure Lallu Bihari, on charges of aiding illegal migrants and encroaching on government land. The Crime Branch alleges that Pathan and his father rented out 43 huts in the Chandola Lake area to Bangladeshi nationals, using fake Aadhaar cards to secure electricity connections.

Investigators say electricity bills were attached to forged rent agreements to make the illegal tenancies appear legitimate. “How did these structures—without clear legal standing—manage to get electricity connections?” a Crime Branch official asked in court. This has raised concerns about the role of power utility officials and the possible misuse of documentation systems.

Pathan was remanded to 14-day custody by the Bhadra Sessions Court on Tuesday night. Police have seized 60 documents related to these transactions and are now investigating wider links to document forgery, money laundering, and possible support to anti-national elements.

Authorities are also probing whether any government employees facilitated the issuance of power connections and property documents. “It’s not just a local land issue—it’s a network that relies on paperwork, permissions, and silence,” the official added.

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