In a landmark move bringing closure to a five-decade-long struggle, the Gujarat government has finally issued property ownership certificates to 173 displaced families in Gandhinagar. These residents were originally from Vanzar village near Sarkhej, which was ravaged by the Sabarmati river floods in 1973.
A Five-Decade Wait for Legal Recognition
The journey to this moment began more than 50 years ago when a devastating flood wiped out approximately 70% of Vanzar village. The residents were rehabilitated to a new settlement, aptly named Nava Vanzar. While they were provided with alternative plots of land, the crucial property ownership documents remained elusive for generations.
This lack of formal property ownership certificates created significant hurdles. Residents were unable to use their homes as collateral to secure loans from banks or legally sell their property, leaving them in a state of legal and financial limbo.
Personal Accounts of Loss and Long Struggle
The emotional weight of the event and the subsequent struggle was shared by the beneficiaries. Naran Prajapati (70), a retired district panchayat employee, vividly recalled the day of the flood. "I was about 17 or 18 years old and was leaving for college when irrigation officials came to our village and told us to evacuate. Within the next 2-3 hours, about 70% of the village was washed out," he recounted.
Another recipient, Pankaj Patel (60), highlighted the prolonged advocacy effort. "For the past 20 years, we were making representations to various authorities and are thankful that we finally received ownership documents," said Patel, who retired from government service in October this year.
A Matter of Dignity and Economic Freedom
The certificates were formally handed over to the beneficiaries on Sunday in a ceremony attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The breakthrough followed persistent efforts by local MLA Amit Thaker, who took up the issue with the district administration, state government, and the Gandhinagar MP.
MLA Thaker emphasized that the move transcended mere paperwork. "Having legal documents of property will not only help these residents to secure loans; it is a matter of dignity for them. They were living in houses they could not call their own," he stated. The settlement of Nava Vanzar is now home to a population of over 3,500 people.
This resolution not only provides legal security to the families but also unlocks economic potential, allowing them to finally leverage their assets for a more stable future, half a century after their world was washed away.
