Standing Committee Chairman Asit Vora said: “The demolition drive was planned to remove the illegal structures that have encroached upon the land that needs to be used for progressing work on the BRTS. Importantly, a bridge from Thakkarnagar to Odhav is in the pipeline and work on its construction needs to start immediately. Therefore, we had to remove some shops and other public utility units.”

Patients from the hospital were shifted to another private hospital and the bank staff and customers in the private bank were shifted prior to the demolition, the AMC said.

The Standing Committee of the civic body had passed a resolution in this regard two years ago.

The AMC claimed that the owners of the demolished structures were issued notices to vacate their premises, but did not pay heed.

The demolition of nearly 20 structures was postponed, as there was litigation pending in the Gujarat High Court, AMC officials added.

Meanwhile, the demolition drive will be launched in other zones where more than 10,000 illegal and unauthorised structures including shops, commercial complexes, residential apartments and colonies are reportedly hindering the infrastructure development of the city.