Rajkot: Over 1,400 houses and land worth over Rs. ₹350 million crowns have been released, the official said on Wednesday.
Among the demolished structures were more than 200 bungalow-like houses, said city commissioner Tushar Sumera.
“The drive started at 7.30 am on Monday and ended on Tuesday evening. A total of 1,489 houses were removed in the Jangleshwar area,” Sumera said.
497 illegal structures were removed on TP Road, freeing up 33,750 m2 of land, while 992 illegal structures were demolished along the banks of the Aji River, freeing up 55,000 m2 of land.
The operation involved 1,512 municipal employees and 261 vehicles, including earth-moving excavators and tractors, the official said.
The riverside settlement was prone to flooding during monsoon rains, prompting rescue operations, and in some cases rescuers themselves had to be rescued due to dangerous conditions, Sumera said, adding that 1,378 people had been moved to safe places in 2024.
“It is a matter of relief that after this demolition there will be no loss of life due to flooding and the area will get better roads which
it will facilitate easy access for ambulances and firefighters, police vehicles in the area,” said Sumera.
Of the demolished houses, only 500 Pucca houses lacked a concrete slab. More than 250 houses were the same size, and their doors were lined up in rows of 30 to 50, he said.
More than 200 houses were air-conditioned “palatial bungalows” standing on plots of 50 to 100 square meters, the official added.
Over 750 homes were valued at more than ₹5 lakh each and about 250 houses were bungalows worth over ₹15-20 million each.
The demolitions were not limited to huts, but other, larger structures were also removed, the commissioner said.
