AMC launches mega demolition drive at Isanpur’s Ramwadi lake, over 900 illegal structures to be cleared

In one of the biggest anti-encroachment operations undertaken in recent months, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Monday morning began demolishing hundreds of illegal constructions around Ramwadi lake in Isanpur. The exercise, planned at scale and backed by heavy police deployment, aims to clear nearly 950 residential units, 27 commercial structures and several unauthorised religious encroachments built on and around the waterbody.

According to AMC officials, the civic body had issued three notices over the past two months instructing residents to vacate the premises. Despite repeated warnings, most structures remained occupied, prompting the corporation to initiate a large-scale demolition drive.

From early morning hours, more than 20 Hitachi and JCB machines, along with dumpers and support vehicles, were stationed at the site. Over 1,200 personnel — including around 500 police constables and 700 AMC staff members from four zones’ estate departments were deployed to ensure the operation proceeded without obstruction. The corporation had formed seven teams to coordinate the clearance.

Officials said that approximately 1,000 structures had illegally emerged over the years inside and along the boundary of the lake, severely shrinking the waterbody and affecting its natural catchment. “Waterbody encroachments are being removed in full. This is among the largest demolition actions in the city after the Chandola lake drive,” an AMC official said.

Local residents, many of whom had constructed semi-pucca and makeshift houses at the site, watched as machinery began dismantling rows of structures. Police maintained tight security to prevent any law-and-order issues during the eviction.

The AMC has stated that restoration work at the lake will follow once the demolition is completed, with plans to reclaim the waterbody and prevent future encroachments.

This is the second major anti-encroachment exercise in Ahmedabad this year, signalling the corporation’s renewed focus on clearing illegal settlements on lakes, drainage channels and government land.