Gujarat HC orders restoration of water, drainage lines at Vasna municipal staff quarters

Gujarat High Court has been roped in to resolve the dispute surrounding the decades-old municipal staff quarters in Vasna. Residents of the civic quarters had challenged the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC)’s decision to issue eviction notices and cut off water and drainage connections citing the buildings’ dilapidated state.

Hearing a petition filed by the residents, Justice Mona Bhatt issued show-cause notices to the state’s Urban Development secretary and AMC commissioner. The court also directed the corporation to immediately restore the water and drainage connections.

The petitioners argued that most residents of the 24 quarters are senior citizens, originally allotted housing in 1989 at a cost of ₹25,000 each. Though AMC had promised sale deeds at the time, the process was never completed. Residents said they were ready to bear half the expenses for executing the sale deeds, but AMC has not taken action.

In 2018, AMC declared the quarters unsafe and asked residents to carry out repairs. The residents, citing financial inability, instead requested redevelopment. More than 60% consent and required documents were submitted, but AMC failed to move ahead under the Redevelopment of Public Housing Scheme, 2016.

Instead, in February 2025, AMC issued fresh notices asking residents to vacate and went on to disconnect water and sewer lines. The residents approached the high court, citing severe hardship and harassment.

The court has asked AMC to file its reply while fixing further hearings in the coming days.