Gujarat: Authorities demolish illegal encroachments on 100 acres of Mitha Port’s land to strengthen coastal security

Illegal encroachments in Kutch
Gujarat govt clears illegal encroachment near Mitha port (Image via PTI)

Port Authorities have kicked off a massive demolition drive early morning on Monday (8th December), in the Mitha Port area of Kachchh district in Gujarat, tearing down illegal encroachments that posed risks to coastal and national security.

Bulldozers and heavy machines rolled in at dawn, clearing out nearly 100 acres of government and port land that people had grabbed unlawfully over the years. Officials say the market value of this land is about ₹250 crore.

The operation is one of the largest in the area lately, with tight police security in place. Teams brought in 20 JCBs, 20 Hitachi machines, 40 loaders, 40 dumpers, and around 100 tractors to get the job done. Drones and video cameras are recording everything to keep track. More than 40 district officials and 500 police from East Kachchh are on site, leading the joint effort by the Deendayal Port Authority and local cops.

The area had around 4,000 to 5,000 people living there, and officials claim many were into shady occupations like prostitution, property crimes, bootlegging, and breaking Petroleum Act rules or damaging public property. Clearing the encroachment has been a necessity to prevent illegal activities in the area.

This follows a similar drive last year, where they freed up 170 acres of Deendayal Port land. The government’s pushing hard to remove illegal occupations from strategic coastal areas in Gujarat.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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