Auda faces Ghuma farmers’ protest

The decision of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) to deduct 40% of land meant for allotment of final plots under town planning (TP) schemes has not gone down well with farmers and plot owners of Ghuma. Around 200 people submitted their objections to Auda on Monday and threatened legal action.

Auda has decided to reduce 40% land of each of the open plots in Ghuma under TP schemes for building civic amenities. However, the land owners want the regulatory body to follow the process it followed while drafting the TP in Bopal.

Land owners have demanded Auda allot final plots in their own land. Moreover, they also raised the issue of allotment of final plots on wider roads. Their other demand was uniform policy in allotment of floor space index (FSI) in case Auda wanted to go ahead with its decision to reduce 40% land.

The residents were furious as none of the Authority's office-bearers or top officials were present in the office. Moreover, the police were called by the authorities to avert any untoward incident. "If they believe that they have done everything right, then they should also have the courage to listen to people's concerns," said Suresh Patel, a resident of the area.

Disappointed by the absence of top officials, the land owners are now contemplating the option of presenting their case before the state government and are also moving the court. "We will have another meeting of land owners on Monday night and will take a call on future course of action," Patel added.

The plot owners are also learnt to be collecting proofs of Auda's allegedly goof ups in calculating the deduction of land. "The plot owners will have a separate meeting on Wednesday," said Vinod Patel, a plot owner. He said that they will again approach Auda.