Gujarat High Court rejects regularisation of huts near Aslali Lake

Gujarat High Court has directed the Ahmedabad District Collector to form a committee—comprising the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, and other relevant officials—to examine rehabilitation claims of hut dwellers illegally occupying land near Aslali Lake in Ahmedabad.

The hut dwellers, through their advocate, expressed willingness to vacate their huts if provided alternative accommodation elsewhere in the village or on other land under the slum rehabilitation policy.

The court rejected the hut dwellers claim for regularisation of their huts on the disputed land, describing it as a strategic location unsuitable for such approval. 

According to an affidavit submitted by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), the area lies between Aslali Lake and National Highway 64 (one of India's busiest highways). 

The land is critical for the development of a service road under a Town Planning (TP) Scheme, essential for local commutation. The entire village of Aslali has been designated as a logistic zone in AUDA's development plan. Illegal constructions are obstructing not only the lake's development but also the proposed 0.45-km TP Scheme road.

The counsel for AUDA and the Mamlatdar (Daskroi) highlighted that unauthorised huts and residential units have been built near the lake, along with encroachments on the draft TP road. Notices were issued by the Mamlatdar in 2012 ahead of lake development works, which was completed in 2015 at the request of the Aslali Gram Panchayat. 

The land falls under the administrative control of the Gram Panchayat. 

The Mamlatdar's affidavit noted that the structures are semi-permanent and temporary shelters outside the lake's periphery. Approximately 20% are in dilapidated condition, 70% in good condition, and 10% of the space is vacant, with no further illegal construction reported.