Mega Demolition Drive in Gandhinagar to Clear Illegal Encroachments Worth ₹1,000 Crore

Early Morning Operation at Pethapur with Heavy Police Deployment

The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation on Thursday, September 18, launched a massive demolition drive to clear illegal encroachments on government land near the riverside behind GEB in the Pethapur area. The operation began early in the morning with the deployment of 10 JCBs, 15 trucks, and over 700 police personnel. Officials estimate that the drive will free up one lakh square meters of land worth nearly ₹1,000 crore.

Objective to Free Over One Lakh Sq. Meters of Land

Speaking on the operation, Gandhinagar SP Ravi Teja Vasam Shetty stated that since 4 a.m., around 20 joint teams from the R&B Department and the Municipal Corporation, supported by police forces, have been working to remove the encroachments. “The purpose of this operation is to free more than one lakh square meters of land from illegal possession. The estimated value of this land is around ₹1,000 crore. The demolition work is ongoing to reclaim this land,” he added.

Notices Were Issued to Encroachers in Advance

Officials confirmed that around 115 illegal encroachments are being demolished during the drive. Earlier, the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation had issued notices to these encroachers, asking them to provide legal proof of their constructions. On September 10, a final seven-day notice was served, but no valid documents were submitted within the deadline. To uphold urban development regulations and ensure compliance with the law, the corporation decided to move ahead with the demolition, deploying tight security to prevent any untoward incidents.

10 JCBs and 15 Trucks Deployed for Demolition

Apart from the police force, officials from the Estate Department, Encroachment Removal Department, and Town Planning Department also joined the drive. In total, nearly 1,000 government staff members are involved in the operation. To carry out the demolition effectively, 10 JCB machines and 15 trucks have been pressed into service.