Ahmedabad: Phase 2 of the large-scale demolition drive targeting illegal encroachments in the area near Chandola Lake in the city began early this morning at around 6:00 AM. Several makeshift and permanent structures are being razed as part of the operation in a locality that has long been known as a hub for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

A few weeks ago, in the first phase of the mega demolition operation, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had cleared encroachments on around 1.5 lakh square meters of land near the larger lake. Now, in the second phase, efforts are underway to remove encroachments from an even larger area—approximately 2.5 lakh square meters—around the smaller lake.

The area stretching from Suryanagar Police Chowki to Shah Alam is referred to as the smaller lake region. Several encroachments here have already been removed. Within just two hours, over 1,000 illegal makeshift and permanent structures were demolished by the civic body. All encroachments along a roughly 100-meter stretch of road have now been cleared. Heavy machinery, including 35 Hitachis and 15 JCBs, is being used in the mega demolition operation.

To support the civic body’s efforts and maintain law and order, the police have deployed over 3,000 officers and personnel, along with 25 SRP companies.

For the past three days, residents living in the illegal settlements near the waterbody were repeatedly informed via loudspeakers mounted on vehicles to vacate their homes by May 20. Authorities also announced that those residing in the area since before 2010 are eligible for housing under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) scheme, subject to conditions, and were advised to collect application forms from the ward office in Danilimda.

Crime Branch Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Sharad Singhal stated that the civic body has identified around 8,000 illegal structures that will be removed from the 2.5 lakh square meter area. Around 50 JCB machines have been deployed, and over 3,000 police personnel are involved in the operation, which will continue until the entire area is cleared of encroachments. DeshGujarat