Part of Gujarat College campus Photo Yogesh Chawda
Ahmedabad: The post-razing debris of seven historically important structures reflects AMC’s 12-year delay in conferring heritage tags on such architectural icons. Because the building was historical, AMC wrote a letter to halt the action, and the demolition plan was scrapped, however,. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in Ahmedabad Stay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news.
Ahmedabad: An AMC official said efforts are continually made to preserve structures of historical importance. The official said AMC wrote to city police requesting them to prevent the demolition of certain heritage structures within the historical Gaekwad Haveli complex in Raikhad. In another instance, the official said, a historical educational institution near Raikhad Crossroads was at risk of demolition.
Police halted the demolition. AMC sent a written request asking that it not be torn down, resulting in the structure being renovated instead of demolished. In yet another case, the state govt’s roads and buildings (R&B) department initiated steps to demolish the Old Circuit House building in Shahibaug. AMC currently lacks the legal authority to stop the demolition of historical structures not listed on Centre’s or state’s heritage lists. Download the TOI App.
The demolitions occurred before 382 buildings outside the Old City area of Ahmedabad could receive heritage tags. In a meeting of the heritage and recreational committee held on Aug 24, 2026, approval was granted to initiate the process of awarding heritage tags to the 382 buildings. The civic body’s heritage department then conducted site inspections of the 382 heritage buildings. In Dec 2014, AMC commissioned Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to survey historically significant buildings in Ahmedabad outside Old City boundaries. INTACH’s report identified 861 historic structures, of which 382 were selected and graded. These include about 400 structures. Unesco granted Ahmedabad World Heritage City status in July 2017. The 382 structures were formally graded based on their architectural and historical significance into Grade 1 (52 structures), Grade 2A (38 structures), Grade 2B (49 structures), and Grade 3 (243 structures). A report classified the physical condition of the 382 structures as follows: 18% of them were in ‘Good’ condition, 37% in ‘Fair’ condition, 25% showed ‘Signs of Deterioration’, 15% were under ‘Serious Deterioration’, and 5% were in ‘Danger of Disappearance’.
After AMC’s standing committee also cleared the proposal, the heritage committee began preparing to seek public objections and suggestions. Only at this stage did it become clear that seven structures had already been demolished. The Rector’s Bungalow and Commerce College building on Gujarat College campus were among the razed structures. Others were Kaloliya Vadi Temple on Kankaria Road, the heritage gate of Vachlo Vas in Mithakhali Village, a heritage chabutaro (bird feeder tower) in Sarkhej, the heritage Tripathi House in Sarkhej, and Harshvardhan Mangaldas House on Parimal Garden Road. These structures ought to have had the heritage shield more than a decade ago. An AMC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “Historical buildings outside the Old City area of Ahmedabad hold a significant place in the city’s history. As examples, the official cited Fatehbag Palace in Fatehwadi village, Gujarat Vidyapith, Gujarat College, and Circuit House. But buildings outside the Old City area have faced chronic neglect. Before Unesco granted Ahmedabad World Heritage City status, multiple reports were prepared to safeguard the city’s historic assets and ensure the preservation of their cultural significance. Buildings in even the last group received little attention from the city body. BOX ‘Some preservation appeals succeeded’
Once the remaining structures get the heritage tag, they cannot be demolished. To support their preservation, AMC will offer Transferable Development Rights (TDR) benefits to the property owners. Plans are under way to formulate a new policy for all these structures.