The Times of India               09.10.2013

Vadodara Urban Development Authority demolishes another building at Madhavnagar

VADODARA: Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has brought down a block at Madhavnagar residential scheme for the urban poor in Atladara. VUDA claimed that this was done to construct new houses. However, the city unit of Congress claimed that the building had partially collapsed and was subsequently brought down.

VUDA officials stated that it was under the process of bringing down all the buildings to construct new ones. They claimed that they had been issued a notice by Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to raze the remaining blocks.

Officials said they began with the block nine on Tuesday as sounds were coming from it. "Residents complained that it seemed as if damage was taking place to this block. We decided to bring this building down on a priority," VUDA assistant executive engineer A C Vyas said.

City Congress president Narendra Ravat said bringing the buildings down was like destroying evidence. He added that residents had not been given any notice stating that the block would be demolished. He claimed that the belongings of a resident were in a house in the block when it was brought down.

Ravat stated that a portion of the bottom of the building was damaged and it was only then brought down. Ravat said those who had come for the demolition did not have any letter to show that they were to demolish the building. "They stopped work and left the place when we demanded that they furnish a document," he said.