AMC Announces Demolition of 33,500 Illegal Buildings After Diwali

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced a major demolition drive targeting illegal structures that do not meet the criteria for regularisation under the Impact Fee law. AMC commissioner M. Thennarasan declared that 33,500 such constructions across the city would be taken down shortly after the Diwali celebrations. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to address the issue of illegal structures, which have been proliferating in Ahmedabad's urban landscape.

Understanding the Impact Fee Law

The Impact Fee law provides an avenue for owners of certain types of illegal constructions to bring them within legal boundaries by paying a fee to the municipality. This policy was introduced to curb the growth of unauthorized structures and provide a solution for individuals who may have unknowingly violated building regulations. While many illegal constructions can be regularised under this law, not all qualify for regularisation. The law, in effect, aims to balance the city’s development needs with regulatory oversight.

However, the limitations of this law mean that certain illegal structures cannot be legalized. AMC has clarified that for buildings or modifications that do not meet the Impact Fee law's criteria, demolition is the only option. This announcement has brought relief to some residents who have raised concerns about the safety and aesthetic impact of illegal buildings in their neighborhoods.

Scale of the Issue: Applications and Rejections

So far, AMC has received a substantial number of applications—66,135 in total—from property owners seeking to regularise their constructions under the Impact Fee law. Among these, approximately 17,319 applications have been approved, resulting in a revenue of Rs 182.53 crore for the municipality. However, 33,520 applications have been rejected, rendering the involved properties non-compliant with AMC regulations. It is these rejected structures that now face demolition, along with a small number of applications that are still pending review.

Priority on Commercial Structures

One of the focal points of the AMC’s action plan is prioritising the demolition of commercial structures that violate building regulations. According to Commissioner Thennarasan, commercial establishments tend to have a more visible impact on the urban environment. They can also pose additional risks, such as overcrowding and fire hazards, especially if they fail to comply with safety standards. The priority placed on commercial demolitions reflects AMC’s efforts to address high-risk structures before moving on to residential units.

In a recent meeting with AMC officials, Mr.Thennarasan outlined his expectations and instructed ward officers to expedite the demolition process. Ward officers are responsible for overseeing the distribution of demolition assignments among inspectors and sub-inspectors, who will carry out on-ground inspections and coordinate the removal of these illegal units. With the action plan taking shape, AMC is gearing up to execute this large-scale operation swiftly and efficiently.

The Illegal Constructions in Ahmedabad

Illegal construction has been a persistent problem in Ahmedabad. According to the AMC Estate-TDO department, unapproved structures—both residential and commercial—are scattered across the city's seven administrative zones. This trend has escalated over the years as some property owners have chosen to bypass legal construction procedures. While AMC’s Impact Fee law has helped regulate some of these buildings, the sheer volume of illegal structures has overwhelmed the system, leading to the current crackdown.

Over the years, AMC has extended the deadline for applying under the Impact Fee law multiple times, allowing property owners to legalise unauthorized constructions. These extensions were initially intended to give property owners a fair chance to comply with regulations, but some argue that they have also incentivized illegal construction. By repeatedly extending the law's provisions, AMC may have inadvertently signaled leniency, further encouraging unapproved buildings.

What Comes Next?

Following Diwali, AMC is expected to begin the demolition drive, which will involve substantial logistical planning. Each demolition requires prior inspection, resource allocation, and compliance with safety protocols to ensure that nearby properties and residents are not affected. This operation will likely involve coordination between multiple municipal departments and local law enforcement agencies to prevent any resistance or unrest.