In a decisive crackdown, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation launched a high-stakes demolition drive Tuesday morning at Bandervat Lake in Vatva. With police cordons in place and earthmovers firing up early, the campaign dismantled over 450 illegal buildings threatening the city’s drainage system.

Encroachments had proliferated over years, shrinking the 28,000-square-meter lake and exacerbating waterlogging during monsoons. The 58,000-square-meter clearance spans the lake, TP Road, and adjacent areas, deploying 10 massive Hitachi diggers and several JCBs under eight coordinated teams.

DYMC B.C. Parmar highlighted the linkage project tying Bandervat to Mahalakshmi and Ropad Lakes, aimed at easing pressure on local waterways. Initial surveys identified 430 homes and 25-30 shops for removal.

Humanitarian measures include relocation for eligible pre-2010 occupants via application forms. Temporary shelters with food provisions stand ready for 300-400 families, with bus services on standby.

‘Water bodies must remain protected for public good,’ asserted Assistant Commissioner Yatendra Naik. The one-day blitz, supported by 500 officers, underscores AMC’s zero-tolerance stance on violations disrupting urban ecology.