The second phase of the large-scale demolition operation near Chandola Lake in Ahmedabad progressed on Wednesday, targeting over 2.5 lakh square metres of encroached government land. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), working alongside the police, is executing what is being described as the most extensive bulldozer action ever carried out in Gujarat.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sharad Singhal confirmed that this final phase of the operation aims to remove all remaining illegal structures. &ldquo;About 3,000 police personnel and SRP forces have been deployed,&rdquo; he said, referring to the combined efforts of local police and the State Reserve Police (SRP) to maintain order during the drive.
Situated within the Isanpur Police Station limits, the Chandola Lake area has been heavily secured as part of the operation dubbed "Operation-2". The demolition began at 7 am on Tuesday and is expected to continue for approximately 100 hours.&nbsp;
Authorities are targeting around 8,000 unauthorised constructions. By Wednesday afternoon, AMC officials reported that 30 per cent of the targeted area had already been cleared, with 50 teams actively working on-site since morning.
Ahead of the current phase, AMC carried out a drone survey which revealed that roughly 2.5 lakh square metres around the lake were still illegally occupied. Singhal explained that nearly 8,000 houses had been constructed unlawfully on this land.&nbsp;
He also noted that prior to the clearance effort, 202 Bangladeshi nationals living there without legal status had been detained. &ldquo;The primary targets in the first phase were anti-social elements and illegal Bangladeshi residents,&rdquo; Singhal said, adding that the operation would continue until all unauthorised structures were removed.
AMC had previously declared that those who had been living in the area since 2010 or earlier would be considered for alternative housing. Many of these residents have already moved their belongings in anticipation of the demolition.
During the first phase of the drive, over 2,000 makeshift homes and the resort of Mehmood Pathan, also known as Lalla Bihari, were demolished. Pathan is accused of providing assistance to Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the area, which was locally known as &ldquo;Mini Bangladesh&rdquo; due to the high number of undocumented residents.&nbsp;
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik is personally overseeing the operation from the site.
Commissioner Malik stated that the AMC had resolved to remove encroachments on an additional 2.5 lakh square metres of land in this phase, following last month&rsquo;s clearance of 1.25 lakh square metres, which also included homes belonging to illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sector 2, Jaipal Singh Rathore, said on Wednesday, &ldquo;The second phase of demolition in the Chandola area has been going on since yesterday. 99.9 per cent of the demolition work has been completed, and some holy structures are now being removed. We appeal to the public not to believe in rumours.&rdquo;
In a related development on May 19, Rajkot Police carried out the demolition of 60 illegal structures linked to 38 individuals with criminal backgrounds.
These individuals are reportedly involved in offences such as murder, attempted murder, and robbery. The action followed orders from Gujarat&rsquo;s Home Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP), directing local authorities to identify and take strict action against habitual offenders.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2), Jagdish, said, &ldquo;More than 60 illegal constructions belonging to 38 criminals with multiple offences, such as murder, attempt to murder, and loot, were destroyed.&rdquo; He noted that some of the offenders have over 10 criminal cases registered against them.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi reiterated the state&rsquo;s zero-tolerance policy against illegal occupation and criminal activity. &ldquo;Under CM Bhupendra Patel's guidance, state government and police have a clear resolution that if anyone commits a crime and occupies the state's government land, we will not let it happen&hellip; All the places in Rajkot that have been a hub for illegal activities will be demolished&hellip; Strictest action will be taken against all these people. The state government stands with all the people who work peacefully and hard...,&rdquo; Sanghavi stated.
To enhance monitoring of the demolition site, 50 drones have been deployed, providing aerial surveillance and helping maintain strict control over the operation.
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Over 3,000 police deployed as Ahmedabad authorities demolish 8,000 illegal structures near Chandola Lake.

Phase 2 of Major Demolition Drive Ongoing at Chandola Lake

Over 3,000 police deployed as Ahmedabad authorities demolish 8,000 illegal structures near Chandola Lake.

May 21, 2025 | 12:30 IST