Rajkot civic body to demolish 1,492 illegal structures in mega drive on Feb 23

The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), in coordination with the police, is set to undertake what officials have described as the largest demolition drive in Rajkot’s history, targeting 1,492 illegal structures along the banks of the Aji River and on the Town Planning (TP) Road in the Jangleshwar area on February 23.

Ahead of the proposed action, the administration on Saturday carried out an extensive show-of-force exercise and awareness drive in the locality to persuade occupants to vacate the premises voluntarily.

A temporary police camp was established at Sheth High School near Bhaktinagar Circle on Saturday morning as part of the preparations. 

More than 2,700 personnel—including around 1,200 officials from the municipal corporation and 1,500 police personnel—have been deployed for the operation.

Authorities said 78 housing societies and streets in Jangleshwar have been divided into seven routes, with teams conducting foot patrols in the area until 6 pm on Saturday. Officials are visiting households to issue final warnings and urge residents to remove their belongings to avoid confrontation or damage during the demolition.

The civic body had formally announced on February 18 that encroachments along the Aji River belt and a proposed 15-metre-wide road under Town Planning Scheme No. 6 would be cleared on Monday morning. According to the RMC, all 1,492 illegal constructions identified in the area will be removed as part of the drive.

Officials have stated that if occupants fail to vacate within the stipulated time, the authorities will proceed with demolition using force, and the administration will not be held responsible for any loss or damage incurred during the action.

Deputy municipal commissioners of the three zones, along with the encroachment removal branch and vigilance teams, are directly supervising the operation. 

The police commissioner’s office has put in place elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order.