Bhopal Demolition Drive Resumes at Upper Lake's FTL Zone After 37-Day Gap Nine shops and two houses razed in Prempura; administration warns of phased action against 347 encroachments across Bhoj Wetland buffer area

Bulldozers Return to Bhadbhada

Bhopal's anti-encroachment machinery rolled back into action on Monday after a 37-day pause, as authorities demolished nine shops and two residential structures in the Prempura locality near Bhadbhada Square — all built within the prohibited 50-metre Full Tank Level (FTL) zone of the Upper Lake, popularly known as Bada Talab.

The three-hour operation, led by TT Nagar SDM Archana Sharma and Tehsildar Kunal Raut, was carried out with a substantial police presence. Two JCB machines and a 35-member joint team from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the district administration executed the drive without major incident, according to officials.

Structures Worth Over ₹3 Crore Cleared

The BMC anti-encroachment squad removed all nine structures within approximately two hours, with help of two JCB machines and other equipment. The demolished shops and houses — located adjacent to a mosque on government land — are valued at more than ₹3 crore, calculated at the collector guideline rate of ₹2,788 per square foot.

Shopkeepers had been served notices and given 72 hours to vacate the premises. Anticipating the action, most traders had taken away their goods before the demolition began. Two shopkeepers raised objections on the spot, but officials proceeded after hearing them out, stating that due process had already been completed.

NGT Order Behind the Action

The action was undertaken by the joint team in accordance with the Bhoj Wetland Rules, which prohibit any construction within the specified 50-metre zone of the Upper Lake's FTL. SDM Archana Sharma confirmed the legal basis: "It was NGT's order that structures which are lying in a 50-metre radius of the lake's FTL should be removed."

All constructions raised after March 16, 2022 — when the Bhoj Wetland Rules came into effect — are being treated as unauthorised and are being removed accordingly.

Elderly Couple Gets Reprieve

In a moment that stood out during the otherwise firm operation, SDM Archana Sharma ordered her team to spare one room at Bhadbhada Chowk where an elderly, mobility-impaired couple was residing. Officials were instructed to ensure their welfare, even as surrounding encroachments were cleared.

Scale of the Larger Drive

Authorities confirmed that action on government land will begin immediately, while encroachments on private land will be addressed in a phased manner starting April 10. In the TT Nagar circle alone, 116 encroachments have been identified within the FTL zone — 68 on government land and 48 on private plots. An additional 92 constructions — including hotels, resorts, farmhouses, and commercial units — are under separate investigation, with owners served notices to produce relevant documents.

The heaviest concentration of illegal structures has been found in Sevaniya Gaon, Gaura village, and Bisnakhedi. In the Bairagarh circle, around 220 encroachments have been flagged, with removal efforts reportedly already underway.

Political Controversy Surfaces

The selective nature of the action has drawn criticism from the Congress party. Local leader Shoaib Khan and residents staged a protest, alleging that the drive targeted only small traders while ignoring alleged encroachments of influential individuals who own hotels and bungalows in the lake's catchment area.

Officials have previously marked red lines near the boundary wall of a college linked to MLA Arif Masood, as well as near bungalows of a minister and an IAS officer on VIP Road, indicating that the crackdown extends across political and bureaucratic circles.

What Comes Next

Authorities have indicated that bulldozers will target 347 encroachments across the Bhoj Wetland FTL zone over the next 15 days. The administration has also issued a public warning: those with unauthorised constructions within the buffer area must self-demolish or face official action. This phased Upper Lake encroachment removal drive is being closely watched as a test of whether Bhopal can finally deliver sustained enforcement to protect one of India's most significant Ramsar-designated wetlands.