VMC conducts demolition drive to remove encroachments in Fatehpura

Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) conducted a major demolition drive in the sensitive Mangleshwar Jhampa locality in Fatehpura area on Tuesday to clear encroachments on a storm water drain there.
The encroachments included concrete structures built on pillars on the storm water drain had been flooded frequently. Despite being served a notice by the VMC, these were not vacated.Residents did so only when VMC's razing teams reached the spot on Tuesday morning.
VMC officials said that some encroachments had occupied a better part of the storm water drain and would have obstructed flow of water during monsoons. The work was taken up as a part of the monsoon preparedness by the civic body as this would have caused water logging in the areas upstream the drain.
In all, the civic body razed 60 units that had come up on the storm water drain. Elaborate police security was maintained as the area is sensitive and there were chances of residents opposing the move. But most residents vacated their dwellings once the VMC teams reached the spot. Excavators were pressed into action after the demolition to clear the debris and the location will also be fenced to ensure that there are no encroachments there in the future.