As the Government Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act (GRUDA) nears its expiration on December 16, the fate of thousands of pending applications for the regularisation of unauthorised constructions in Ahmedabad remains uncertain. With over 14,000 applications still awaiting processing by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), it is expected that the deadline for the payment of impact fees under the act will be extended to accommodate the remaining requests.
To date, the AMC has received a staggering 68,988 applications across seven zones, of which 18,197 have been successfully processed and regularised. This has generated an impressive Rs 200 crore in revenue for the corporation. However, a significant number of applications—35,903—have been rejected, and more than 14,000 still remain unresolved, largely due to the limited capacity to process them within the original timeframe. Devang Dani, Chairman of the Municipal Standing Committee, highlighted that the contracts of 32 employees assigned to the GRUDA cell had expired on November 15, 2024. These contract staff were instrumental in managing the volume of applications, and in response to the mounting backlog, their contracts have now been extended for six more months to ensure that the remaining cases are addressed promptly.
The GRUDA initiative, which was introduced to regularise unauthorised constructions, has been instrumental in bringing many buildings into the fold of legal recognition. However, it has also raised questions about the sustainability of such efforts. Regularisation, while offering financial benefits to the corporation, also brings to the fore concerns related to urban planning and infrastructure strain. The rapid urbanisation in Ahmedabad has resulted in numerous illegal constructions that often do not adhere to the city’s zoning laws or environmental regulations. This calls for a balance between economic growth and sustainable urban development.
The impact of this extended deadline and the regularisation process extends beyond the financial gains. It underscores the need for comprehensive urban policy reforms that account for sustainability in the face of rapid urbanisation. As the city moves towards accommodating a growing population, ensuring that developments align with environmental and civic considerations will be key to its long-term success. While the GRUDA initiative offers a solution to existing challenges, it highlights the importance of proactive planning in preventing future unlawful constructions, which can undermine the city’s infrastructure and sustainability goals.
