The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has initiated a large-scale anti-encroachment drive in the city, targeting nearly 1,500 illegal properties along the Aji River and municipal town planning roads in the Jangleshwar area. Civic authorities, acting on directives from the state administration, have mobilised over 1,200 municipal officials alongside police personnel to carry out the operation, signalling a decisive move to reclaim public land and enforce urban planning norms.
The demolition campaign follows weeks of preparatory action, including issuing vacate notices and creating on-site monitoring mechanisms. A control room has been established to oversee operations and ensure compliance with safety and legal protocols. Officials emphasised that the exercise adheres to existing regulations, with residents being allowed to retrieve their belongings before the structures are razed. Urban planners and civic administrators highlight that such measures, while disruptive in the short term, are critical for the long-term health of the city’s infrastructure. Encroachments along riverbanks and municipal roads have historically exacerbated flooding, impeded traffic, and constrained future development opportunities. By removing unauthorised constructions, Rajkot aims to restore open spaces, improve drainage systems, and enhance the city’s resilience against climate-related challenges.
However, the drive has prompted concerns among longstanding residents who face sudden displacement. Individuals and families, some residing in the area for several decades, have expressed anxiety over relocation and a lack of affordable housing alternatives. Advocacy groups have noted that without integrated resettlement strategies, large-scale demolition projects risk deepening social inequities in urban centres. A senior civic official acknowledged these challenges and stressed the importance of balancing enforcement with support mechanisms for affected households. Industry experts suggest that Rajkot’s approach reflects a broader trend in Indian cities where municipal authorities are increasingly leveraging legal instruments to manage urban sprawl and reclaim public land. They caution that long-term success will depend on careful planning of relocation, compensation, and integration of green and infrastructural amenities.
As the RMC progresses with the demolition, attention is expected to turn to rehabilitation policies and future urban governance frameworks. The initiative underscores a growing recognition among city planners that systematic removal of illegal structures, when paired with sustainable urban planning and equitable resettlement policies, is essential for fostering orderly, climate-resilient, and liveable cities.
Rajkot Begins Demolition Of Illegal Properties
