ગુજરાતી
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285 out of 416 Government Houses Occupied by Illegal Residents
Major Irregularities in Vatva, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, December 6, 2025
Four-story houses were constructed in the Vatva area of eastern Ahmedabad city with grants from JNNURM. These houses were given to people displaced from the Sabarmati Riverfront. 10,000 families were living in slums along the river, and houses were also given to families of Pakistani origin. However,
the Municipal Corporation’s Housing Estate Cell Department, with the help of the police, investigated the four-story houses in Vatva. Approximately 285 people and families were found to be living there illegally.
Notices were issued to the house owners. A survey was conducted in the houses. The Housing and Estate Department conducted a site inspection of the houses. Out of 416 houses, 285 were found to be occupied by illegal residents.
These houses were built in 2011 and allotted to people, including those displaced from the Sabarmati Riverfront. Many anti-social elements are residing in these houses.
The proposal to develop the Sabarmati riverfront in the city was put forward in 1960. Construction began in 2005. It was opened after 2014.
History
The first proposal to develop the riverfront was presented in 1960-61 by prominent citizens of the city. French architect Bernard Kohn proposed creating an ecological valley in the Sabarmati basin from the Dharoi Dam to the Gulf of Cambay. In 1964, he proposed that 30 hectares or 74 acres of land could be acquired.
The Gujarat government approved the project in 1966. However, it did not materialize. In 1976, the Riverfront Development Group submitted a new proposal for construction.
In 1992, the National River Conservation Scheme proposed the construction of sewers and pumping stations to reduce water pollution.
In 1997, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation received a grant of ₹1 crore from the Government of India for riverfront development from the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited.
A feasibility report was prepared in 1998. A 10.4-kilometer stretch from Subhash Bridge to Vasna Barrage was proposed, which included a plan to reclaim 162 hectares (400 acres) of riverfront land.
In 2003, a plan was developed to reclaim 202.79 hectares (501.1 acres) of land along 11.25 kilometers. The estimated cost of the project was ₹1,200 crore. This cost was to be recovered by selling a portion of the newly acquired land.
HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited of Ahmedabad, headed by Bimal Patel, was appointed as the chief architect of the project.
There was significant controversy regarding the water level. Opposition arose due to the narrowing of the river and the increased risk of flooding. Delays in the project were also caused by the rehabilitation of homeless slum dwellers and protests from slum residents.
Some sections were opened to the public on August 15, 2012.
Since then, construction of various facilities has been ongoing. By 2014, ₹1,152 crore had been spent.
By 2019, ₹1,400 crore had been spent.
The River
The average width of the river channel was 382 meters (1,253 ft) and the narrowest cross-section was 330 meters (1,080 ft). At its widest point, it has been narrowed to 263 meters (863 ft). The river’s flood-carrying capacity is reported to have been reduced hydrologically.
It can carry 470,000 cu ft/s (13,000 m³/s) of water without overflowing.
A total of 202.79 hectares (501.1 acres) of land has been reclaimed. This reclaimed land is used for both public and private development. More than 85% of the reclaimed land is proposed for public infrastructure, recreational parks, sports facilities, and gardens, while approximately 14% is proposed for commercial and residential purposes.
There is a concrete embankment for the Sabarmati Riverfront. Retaining walls have been constructed on both banks. The retaining walls have prevented rainwater from the city from flowing rapidly into the river. Reduced water carrying capacity:
Designed to carry a flow of 470,000 cusecs (cubic feet/second), the river is reported to have a flow of only 30,000 cusecs and less than 60,000 cusecs in 2025. In 2015, when the flow reached 250,000 cusecs, 500 people had to be evacuated from the city.
Sewage water:
38 It is claimed that this has stopped the discharge of sewage and industrial waste. However, 786 MLD (million liters per day) of untreated water was flowing into the river outside the sewage treatment plant.
As of 2021, Ahmedabad has the third deepest groundwater level in India at 67 meters (220 feet). Water is artificially replenished from the Narmada Canal. The water is stored behind the Vasna Barrage.
