AMC to begin second phase of demolition in Chandola area from May 20

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to launch the second phase of demolition operations in the Chandola area from Tuesday, with a focus on clearing encroachments around Chandola Lake. The operation follows months of planning and deliberation with senior civic officials, including the AMC Commissioner.

The area, which has reportedly turned into a hub for illegal activities and unauthorised settlements—particularly by Bangladeshi nationals—is under the scanner. Officials say that Chandola has long served as a base for such activities, prompting the civic body to step up enforcement.

In this phase, approximately 2.5 lakh square metres of illegal construction is expected to be cleared. This follows a previous drive in which 1.5 lakh square metres were removed.

To facilitate the massive clearance operation, a deployment of over 3,000 police personnel, including 25 State Reserve Police (SRP) teams, will be put in place. The police will primarily be tasked with maintaining security and ensuring the demolition work proceeds without disruption.

Civic authorities anticipate that the demolition could take more than two to three days due to the scale of the encroachments. Illegal constructions, officials noted, have frequently spilled onto public roads, complicating the removal process.

According to sources, the AMC has coordinated with police to provide security support whenever required during the demolition. Provisions are also being made to rehabilitate displaced families, with AMC planning to allot alternate housing to those affected by the drive.

In 2025 so far, 250 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended across the city, of whom 207 were detained specifically from the Chandola Lake vicinity. Over 200 individuals have reportedly already been deported.

AMC officials stated that clearing the area is crucial not only for urban development but also for curbing the illegal activities that have taken root in the region.