Vadodara: Bringing the curtain down on one of Vadodara’s longest-running property disputes, the Vadodara district administration has begun reclaiming around 41 acres of prime land valued at nearly Rs 2,400 crore in the heart of the city, demolishing everything from a resort-like property, two box cricket grounds, a swimming pool, a political party office and dozens of commercial establishments.The massive demolition drive, launched after the Gujarat High Court upheld the ownership of the Yavateshwar Mahadev Temple Trust, has already seen around 55 commercial structures brought down. Residential structures are now being demolished, with around four to five houses razed so far.The high court in June had dismissed the 35-year-old plea filed by the royal Gaekwad family, challenging a lower court’s order rejecting its claim over land parcel belonging to the temple trust. TVadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya told TOI that the action covered nearly 55 commercial units, including a resort-like structure having 20 rooms, two box cricket grounds, a large swimming pool, fabrication sheds, around 10 food stalls under construction, a car showroom and a political party office.Sources said the party office is in the name of the Praja Shakti Democratic Party led by former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela.Spread across 1.68 lakh sq m (around 41 acres) near the Kalaghoda Circle, the property is among the most valuable land parcels in Vadodara.While one portion belongs to the govt, the bulk of the land belongs to the Yavateshwar Mahadev Temple Trust, with the collector serving as its ex-officio administrator and trustee.Dhameliya said, “The court examined every claim made by the occupants, including sale documents, property cards and payment of municipal taxes. It held that the property originally belonged to the temple trust and noted that four judicial decisions since 1971 have consistently upheld the trust’s ownership.”Referring to the judgement, Dhameliya said the court observed that some litigants showed an “unscrupulous desire” to prolong the dispute indefinitely and keep the deity’s property entangled in endless litigation.The collector said the court granted the occupants four weeks to hand over possession. Even after fresh petitions were filed, the court directed authorities to follow due process before eviction. Notices were subsequently issued before the administration initiated the demolition and eviction exercise.He added that the administration also verified the legality of the constructions with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.“VMC informed us that not a single development permission has been granted in these four survey numbers since 1995, after the Town Planning scheme came into force. Despite that, permanent structures were constructed,” Dhameliya said.He explained that while earlier status quo orders during the prolonged litigation prevented authorities from removing the encroachments, the administration acted immediately after the High Court’s final verdict.Asked about future plans for the reclaimed land, Dhameliya said the immediate focus was on securing possession.“Historically, the site had a stepwell, ghats and several heritage structures, many of which are now in a dilapidated condition. Along with the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd and the temple trust, we will prepare plans to restore and develop the property in keeping with its religious and heritage significance,” he said.
