Rajkot: Final demolition notices issued to 1,358 property holders who have encroached upon government land worth Rs 400 crore in Rajkot’s Jungleshwar have become the talk of the town. Congress has already held a public meeting following appeals from locals. With approximately 15,000 residents facing displacement, demands have been made for extended time to remove encroachments and allocation of alternative housing.
However, the Collector today rejected the demand for additional time, stating that encroachers were given sufficient opportunity to present their case, making demolition now inevitable. Additionally, revenue officers in Rajkot district will now maintain diary entries of encroachments on government and grazing lands, and government properties will be cleared accordingly.
Where Will 2,000 Families Go Together?
Following the final notice from the Collector, locals gathered to express their anguish. People questioned where 2,000 families would go simultaneously, noting that even rental houses are unavailable, and the administration should provide adequate time in this matter.
Administration Issues Notice to Vacate Premises Within 7 Days
After notices were sent to approximately 1,357 people in Rajkot’s Jungleshwar area instructing them to vacate within seven days, a large number of people arrived at the District Collector’s office today. Police officers and personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents as crowds gathered.
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Disabled Woman Cries Out: “Where Should We Go?”
A significant number of affected persons converged at the Collector’s office today. Residents from various communities including Ahir, Koli, Bharwad, and Muslim communities, as well as from Nadodanagar, Radhakrishna Park, Jungleshwar Society, Ektanagar, and numerous other societies reached the Collector’s office. Among them, a woman arrived with the help of a wheelchair, missing one leg, and tearfully asked, “Where should we go?” These people’s houses and societies have been marked for demolition or are being affected, causing them severe mental stress and helplessness. Through this gathering, the affected persons are seeking resolution to their problems and presenting their case before the Collector’s office.
Husband Committed Suicide and Elder Son’s Intestine Ruptured When Truck Hit Him
Anitaben Gorasara stated that they live on Street Number 7 in Nadodanagar. After the administration issued the first notice, her husband Vipulbhai committed suicide by jumping into a well in Dhasa village on Wednesday, December 31. She has two sons, and when a truck hit her elder son, his intestine ruptured. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law also live with her. She broke down crying, asking where they would go if the house is demolished.
Demolition Date to Be Decided in Coming Time
The 1,358 property holders in Jungleshwar were given sufficient time to remove encroachments. Therefore, there is no question of granting additional time. According to officials, the administration has followed legal procedures. Every encroacher is given an opportunity to file objections and present evidence, and this legal process is underway. The demolition date will be finalized in the coming period.
BJP Corporator’s Letter to CM Seeking Removal of Encroachments
A letter written by BJP Corporator Narendra Dave, representing the area where Jungleshwar encroachers reside, to the Chief Minister has surfaced, requesting removal of riverbank encroachments and opening of TP road. In it, he mentioned a humble request to open TP Number 6 roads in Ward Number 16, take action for the approved bridge connecting Devpar to Aji GIDC, and remove encroachments from the river.
Despite repeated representations for the above works, no concrete action has been taken. Currently, due to waterlogging and traffic-related problems in different areas of Ward 16, there is a humble request to immediately undertake rule-based action to open all TP roads in Ward 16 and construct the bridge connecting Devpar to Aji GIDC.
He also stated that the process of issuing notices to remove encroachments from government land is ongoing in all talukas of Rajkot district, and encroachments are being removed. In the coming time, encroachments on grazing land and deteriorated government property will be automatically identified in revenue officers’ diaries, and subsequently, work will be undertaken to remove encroachments.
Massive Outrage Among Locals Following Final Notice Under Section 202
Notably, for the Aji Riverfront and Aji Redevelopment project, notices were issued three times under Section 61 and hearings were held to remove encroachments from 1,358 properties on land worth Rs 400 crore in Jungleshwar, Rajkot. Following this, the final notice under Section 202 has sparked massive outrage among locals, who have demanded some time from the administration to remove encroachments. Demands have also been made to allocate government housing as alternative accommodation. However, the administration remains firm on demolition.
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