AMC refuses to legalise 32 illegal structures at Asaram ashram

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad civic body has drawn a firm line against illegal constructions at the Asaram Ashram in Motera. Applications seeking to regularise 32 unauthorised structures through impact fees have been rejected. The decision comes as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) pushes ahead with plans for the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave. The matter is now pending before the Appellate Authority.The AMC legal committee discussed the issue on Wednesday, and instructed advocates to take swift action to ensure the prompt disposal of this appeal.An official from AMC's West Zone said that the land occupied by the ashram was allotted by the govt. As per the impact fee provisions, applications for regularisation of illegal structures on such land are not permissible. The ashram's application was rejected in Oct 2025, after which it approached the Appellate Authority, where the case is currently pending.Committee chairman Prakash Gurjar said, "The committee has appointed an advocate and directed swift action to ensure that the matter is resolved without delay."The issue has gained significance in light of large-scale redevelopment plans around Motera, with Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar pushing to host the 2036 Olympic Games. A key component of the proposal is the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, planned across around 650 acres in and around the Narendra Modi Stadium precinct.According to officials, a master plan for the area surrounding the stadium is currently being prepared. The plan includes land parcels presently held by Bhartiya Seva Samaj, Sadashiv Pragya Mandal, and Sant Shree Asaram Ashram. Steps are underway to acquire these lands as part of the larger sports infrastructure push.