Rajkot: The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) launched a massive demolition drive on Monday, razing a majority of 1,400 illegal settlements spread across a 2.5km stretch in Jangleshwar and along the Aji River. The operation, carried out under tight security following orders from deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi, is expected to continue for three days due to the scale of the encroachments. By Monday evening, the RMC had removed over 1,000 structures.According to RMC officials, 65 excavation machines, along with tractors, dumpers and other heavy equipment, were deployed at the site early in the morning. Close to 1,000 RMC workers supervised the operation under police protection. The area was cordoned off and outsiders were not allowed entry to maintain law and order. Police and civic officials had been preparing for the operation for the past few days. Rajkot Zone 1 deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Hetal Patel said, “Around 2,500 police personnel, including local police, surveillance teams, drone surveillance units, special operations group personnel, quick response teams (QRT), and State Reserve Police Force, were deployed at the site during the demolition.”Authorities said they assisted residents who voluntarily vacated their homes over the past two days. Notices had been issued in advance, and water and electricity connections were disconnected before the operation began. The move riled many affected residents, several of whom said they had lived in the area for decades. Some expressed anguish, saying they were informed only three days before the demolition drive. They raised concerns about their future, fearing they might have to live on the streets. The RMC said some of the illegal structures had air conditioning and luxury furniture. According to an eyewitness, the entire cluster of settlements was reduced to rubble as the machinery moved in. Dust enveloped the area as the demolition progressed.
