Is party over for 160 function plots?

The fate of around 160 party plot owners in the city, who were served notices for illegal construction by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), is still undecided. There are around 50 party plots in the West Zone of the city, of which around 80 per cent are under green belt. These party plots could face problems as their plans might not get an approval. But all depends on the judgement of the apex court.

The civic body served notices to these party plot owners for not following stipulated rules and failing to keep aside 50 per cent of their area for parking purpose. The civic body gave a chance to present their sides to the party plot owners by conducting a hearing. In five zones of the city, except for the New West Zone, the hearing is complete and the deputy municipal commissioners of the respected zones are waiting for the order of the commissioner.

“We have completed the hearing, but the final call about the future course of action will betaken by the municipal commissioner,” said UC Padia, deputy municipal commissioner of West Zone, who is also taking care of estate management and town planning department of the AMC.

According to a source in the AMC, nearly 80 per cent of the party plots in the West Zone come under the green belt and their revised plan was not approved because it was not in accordance with the rules. In fact, of the five party plots and marriage halls in the central zone of the AMC, only one was fortunate to have got a green signal to continue its operation. “The party plot and marriage hall owners have created additional space for parking on temporary basis, but that is not a solution. So only one or two managed to get permission to continue their operation,” said IK Patel, deputy municipal commissioner of the Central Zone.

Interestingly, in the New West Zone of the city, only 25 per cent of the total 52 party plots have either approved plans or have the scope of their plans getting approved, the rest could have to face the problems as the area of the plots is less than 2,000 square yards. “We have yet to hear around 6-7 party plot owners,” said MS Modia, deputy municipal commissioner of the New West Zone.

In the East Zone of the city, only half of the party plots are going to survive. “Till now, the hearing of 18 party plots has been conducted. But while nearly half of them have not met the standard criteria of the party plots, a couple of more have approved plans for residential purpose. They are asked to get their plans approved once again for the purpose of party plot failing which they will have to close down operation,” said Captain Dilip Mahajan, deputy municipal commissioner of the East Zone of the city.