Illegal construction continues unabated in Ahmedabad's central zone

Despite Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) tough talking on illegal constructions in the central zone, construction activity is still going on unabated in the area. The civic body had swung into action following the collapse of a building in Saudagar Ni Pol that had claimed five lives and had demolished more than 28 buildings in the central zone on January 28. When DNA inquired about the legality of ongoing construction activities in Bhoiwada ni Pol and Navi Mohlat in Kalupur area, it found out they were illegal. Interestingly, the estate and town development department of the central zone were clueless regarding the ongoing illegal construction activities. Around a dozen illegal buildings are being constructed in various pols of Kalupur area, but the department is turning a blind eye to such activities, alleges one of the municipal councillors from the central zone. He also claimed that the civic  body had made the illegal buildings unusable, but the builders had  got them repaired and allocated various flats to people. The assistant estate and town development officer of the central zone confirmed that two buildings under construction in Bhoiwada ni Pol and one in Navi Mohlat were found to be illegal when they were inspected on Thursday. However, he blamed manpower crunch for the lack of information. "I have been appointed only a few days ago and am not very familiar with the area. Moreover, the ward inspector is also new," said Bhimabhai Patel," he said. Till now, only one inspector held the charge of a couple of wards which made it difficult to keep a tab on illegal construction activities, he added. IK Patel, deputy municipal commissioner of the central zone, said that the civic body had inquired about the properties being built without obtaining  permission and will take action. The civic body had put a stop to demolition of illegal buildings because Khadia assembly seat bypoll necessitated the model code of conduct.