Former senior municipal councillor Iqbal Sheikh has raised alarms over alleged negligence during the demolition of a 30-year-old overhead water tank in Gomtipur, Ahmedabad. In a press release addressed to the municipal commissioner, Sheikh stated that the contractor is risking lives and property by using cranes and steel ropes to raze the structure instead of employing manual scaffolding and RCC breakers. The site is adjacent to Vir Abdul Hamid Apartments, which houses nearly 1,700 residents, and a public garden. "Such reckless work poses a grave risk to lives and property," the release emphasized. Sheikh has urged the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to implement standardized safety protocols and immediately inspect the ongoing work to prevent a potential disaster.
Demolition Method Draws Criticism
The use of heavy machinery like cranes and steel ropes for demolishing a concrete water tank in a densely populated area has been criticized as unsafe. Manual scaffolding and RCC breakers are considered safer alternatives for such structures, especially near residential complexes. The 30-year-old tank's demolition, if not handled correctly, could lead to structural collapse or falling debris, endangering the 1,700 residents of Vir Abdul Hamid Apartments and visitors to the adjacent public garden.
Vanzar Residents Protest Demolition Drive
In a separate incident, residents of Vanzar village on the city’s outskirts have approached the district collector and AMC commissioner to protest the "sudden demolition" of their homes. According to a press release issued by social worker Rakesh Maheriya, eight houses were recently razed without prior written notice. The affected families, who have resided there for over 25 years, allege that the administration failed to complete formal land allotment and boundary marking despite a 2004 government order. They have demanded an immediate halt to demolitions until proper procedures are followed.
Long-Standing Land Issues
The Vanzar demolition highlights ongoing land tenure disputes in peri-urban Ahmedabad. Residents claim they have lived on the land for decades, relying on a 2004 government order that promised formal allotment. However, without completed boundary marking or title deeds, they remain vulnerable to sudden eviction. The affected families are seeking legal recourse and have called for transparency in the administration's actions.
