AMC begins demolition of 292 illegal structures in Makarba

In a major crackdown on illegal construction, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated the demolition of 292 illegal residential and commercial buildings in the Makarba area, which were constructed on reserved plots and public roads nearly a decade ago.

The illegal structures – 258 residential houses, 28 commercial establishments, and 6 other commercial-type constructions – were built on land designated for residential and educational purposes, as well as on a planned 18-meter-wide road, under Town Planning (T P) Scheme No 84, final plot numbers 92/1 (reserved for residential use) and 92/2 (reserved for a school).

 The constructions date back to 2016, when the plots were illegally encroached upon, and despite the issuance of notices to the violators at the time, enforcement was delayed.

Residents of Alif Row Houses, located near Makarba Road, had filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court challenging the demolition. However, the court repeatedly upheld that the buildings were illegal and must be razed. A fresh hearing is scheduled for Monday, prompting AMC to act swiftly to comply with court directives before the next round of legal proceedings.

The demolition began on Friday, under tight police security, with the Southwest Zone Estate Department leading the operation. On the first day alone, authorities cleared nearly 4,000 square meters of construction on reserved plots and 500 meters of unauthorised construction on the 18-meter road.

Senior municipal officials including Deputy Municipal Commissioners, Estate Department officers, the Fire Brigade, and teams from the Central Workshop were deployed to oversee the operation.

This demolition drive in Makarba is part of a wider initiative by the AMC to remove illegal constructions across Ahmedabad. Just last week, a similar operation near Chandola Lake saw the removal of over 150,000 square meters of illegal construction.

Starting May 20, the AMC plans to initiate a second round of demolitions near Chandola Lake, targeting encroachments on lakebed areas. A survey is currently underway to identify unauthorised structures, and eviction notices are being issued to those occupying the space illegally.