In a significant turn of events, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated the demolition of two illegal floors at Salman Avenue, located near the civic body office on Danapith Road. The demolition targets the fifth and sixth floors of the building, which were constructed unlawfully in 2015 using a counterfeit No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This development follows the Gujarat High Court’s decision to reserve its ruling on the demolition, but the court had previously ordered the sealing of the illegal floors and directed that police be deployed to prevent their use until the final judgment is made.
The demolition began in the presence of Assistant Municipal Commissioner Milan Shah, amidst heightened tension at the site. While the demolition proceeded as scheduled, a group of Congress MLA Imran Khedawala and AIMIM corporators staged a sit-in protest, demanding that the operation be halted until further judicial review. Despite these protests, Shah insisted that the demolition would continue, citing the lack of a court order to stop the action. Khedawala raised concerns about selective enforcement, questioning why this particular building was being targeted while other illegal constructions in Ahmedabad remained unaddressed.
This case stems from an issue that emerged in 2018, when it was revealed that the NOC presented by the building’s developer was fraudulent. The ASI confirmed that no such document had been issued, leading to the building’s inclusion in the list of illegal constructions. The controversy surrounding this building highlights the broader issue of illegal construction in urban areas, where fraudulent documents and lack of oversight often lead to unsafe and unregulated developments.
From a sustainability and civic responsibility perspective, this incident underscores the importance of adhering to proper building norms and regulations. The environmental and social impact of illegal constructions is profound, as such buildings often lack essential infrastructure, pose safety risks, and contribute to urban sprawl. The AMC’s action serves as a reminder of the need for stringent enforcement to ensure that cities grow sustainably and in line with the regulations that protect public welfare.
