VADODARA: In a commendable act of civic responsibility, residents of a Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) plot in the Akota area have voluntarily cleared the land and allowed the civic body to demolish their homes, honoring a promise made 15 years ago.
The residents, previously from the Pir Vasahat slum settlement in Akota, were asked to vacate in 2010 to facilitate the Akota-Dandia Bazaar Road development. While the VMC offered housing in Pratapnagar, many were hesitant to relocate due to the distance from their workplaces.
“We had proposed finding a nearby plot in Akota for housing, but no scheme was available at that time,” explained Imtiaz Patel, a former councillor. The VMC eventually permitted temporary housing on a plot near the burial ground, with a commitment that residents would vacate for permanent housing when available.
Some families accepted homes in Pratapnagar, while others found rental accommodations. About 30 families stayed on the temporary site, building makeshift homes over the past 15 years.
Recently, these families received homes under the Rajiv Awas Yojana on Sun Pharma Road. Once the houses were completed, they fulfilled their commitment by moving out peacefully on Saturday.
“I used to work near Genda Circle and couldn’t have moved to Pratapnagar then,” said Abdul Gani Sheikh, a former resident who sells two-wheeler seat covers. “We only sought temporary help. Now that we have permanent homes, we have honored our promise.”
Patel and local representatives notified VMC officials about the vacated site. The civic body quickly dispatched personnel and equipment to clear the area, and the demolition was carried out efficiently, without the need for police involvement.
According to Patel, the VMC intends to build a school on the newly vacant land. “This will benefit the local community and ensure that the space is utilized for the public good,” he stated.
