Over 500 homes near Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Sabarmati, may be demolished for a road-widening project. The work is part of the city’s plans for the 2036 Olympics.
The government says all rules were followed, but residents are against the move. They claim the town planning plan was approved without giving them a chance to speak or raise concerns.
They have now challenged the eviction notices before the Gujarat High Court.
The demolition will widen the main road leading to the stadium.
Notices ask residents of Baldevnagar and nearby areas of Narendra Modi Stadium in Acher village, Sabarmati, to hand over their properties peacefully. This is under Town Planning Scheme No. 23, finalized in 1984.
Pushpaben Vania and 28 others, along with Umesh Makwana and 48 others, filed two separate petitions challenging the Assistant Estate Officer’s eviction notices issued under Section 68 of the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, 1976.
Government defends eviction process
Government lawyer G H Virk and the AMC’s counsel said the eviction process followed all legal steps. They added that some land from the final plot is set aside for EWS (Economically Weaker Section) residents, who will get alternate housing.
They noted that the TP scheme was drafted in 1965, finalized in 1984, and may be used for public projects. They argued that residents knew about the scheme but only challenged it in 2025.
The government side contended that objections raised by residents should be set aside since the TP scheme was not challenged earlier.
Residents for 60 years
Vikram Thakor, lawyer for Pushpaben Vaniya and others, said the residents have lived in the area for 60 years and built their homes legally.
He argued that the town planning (TP) scheme was approved 41 years ago without hearing from the residents.
Thakor said the AMC now wants to remove them for road widening linked to the upcoming Olympics, which would leave them homeless.
The HC reserved its order after hearing all parties.