AMC clears over 34,800 sq m of encroachments around Vanarvat Lake in south Ahmedabad

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Tuesday carried out large-scale, coordinated demolition drive in Vatva’s ongoing drive against unauthorised constructions, reclaiming more than 34,800 square metres of encroached land around Vanarvat Lake and adjoining reserved plots.

According to the Estate and Town Development Department of the AMC’s South Zone, the operation was conducted under the guidance of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner. The drive began at 8 am within the limits of Town Planning (TP) Scheme No. 88 (Vatva–2), Final Plot No. 40, an area popularly known as Vanarvat Lake.

After issuing prior notices, the civic body undertook joint action to remove both temporary and permanent encroachments within the lake boundary. A large force comprising around 300 personnel from the Estate Department, Health Department, Fire Department, Urban Community Development (UCD) wing and medical services, along with nearly 400 police personnel, was deployed to ensure smooth execution and maintain law and order.

Officials said the encroached area was divided into four blocks, and the demolition was carried out using heavy machinery, including 10 Hitachi excavators. In total, approximately 450 unauthorised residential and commercial structures were removed during the drive.

AMC reclaimed 28,227 square metres of lake land. In addition, encroachments were removed from a reserved final plot, earmarked for a public garden, measuring 6,658 square metres, which had been allotted to the civic body under the TP scheme. Further, 190 unauthorised structures were cleared from 18-metre and 24-metre-wide TP roads surrounding the lake.

In all, the demolition drive led to the opening up of 34,883 square metres of lake and reserved land, along with the clearance of a 770-metre-long stretch of town planning road, officials said.

Civic authorities said rehabilitation arrangements were made for affected families, with around 75 needy displaced persons being shifted to shelter homes in Lambha and Narol using AMTS buses.

Following the clearance, AMC will undertake debris removal and initiate development work at the lake site in the coming days. Officials said the long-term plan includes restoration and improvement of the lake area.

The reclaimed land is also central to the city’s proposed lake interlinking project, under which Vanarvat Lake will be connected with Mahalakshmi Lake and Ropda Lake. Officials said the project is expected to address persistent waterlogging issues in low-lying areas of south Ahmedabad and improve traffic movement by opening up newly cleared road stretches.

AMC officials reiterated that the action was taken strictly in accordance with town planning norms and after following due legal procedure, adding that similar drives against unauthorised constructions will continue across the city.