The Viramgam administration in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, has begun demolitions on approximately 4,000 square metres of government and private land to facilitate the four-lane Viramgam-Surendranagar-Vadhwan State Highway-17 project.
The initiative aims to remove a long-standing bottleneck that has impeded regional connectivity.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Virendra Desai confirmed the demolition included several structures, among them three dargahs (shrines). He stated, “There was a bottleneck at the entry point of Viramgam city. It was a tail point. There were two or three mosques there. Land acquisition for the private land here was carried out as per the law. They have been awarded Rs 62 lakh. The private land is around 1200 square metres. 2300 square metres belonged to a graveyard. We took possession of it today.”
The operation involved deployment of heavy machinery including five JCBs, two Hitachi machines, and 15 dumpers. Additionally, over 550 police personnel, including one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and 15 Police Inspectors, were present to maintain order.
DySP Tapan Kumar Dodiya explained, “Demolition work has been underway since this morning to widen and widen the stretch of road connecting Viramgam to Viramgam Town, the historic bottleneck of Viramgam, and improve connectivity.”
In April, authorities conducted an extensive removal of encroachments in the Dhandhuka area of Ahmedabad district, targeting illegal constructions, including structures associated with individuals accused in a murder case. The operation there was concentrated in Khatkiwad and surrounding areas after completion of legal procedures, as part of a broader enforcement plan covering stretches of the Dhandhuka-Bagodara Highway.
Dhandhuka Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vidyasagar noted that multiple encroachments were identified and are being addressed in phases, characterising the drive as routine enforcement against illegal land usage.