Gujarat Authorities Manage Displacement and Health Risks in Surat and Surrounding Regions

The Surat Municipal Corporation has established a three member monitoring team to rehabilitate residents displaced by a controversial demolition on May 30 in the Nasirnagar area of Ved Road. Acting on a Gujarat High Court directive, the team, which includes two deputy commissioners and an additional city engineer, is tasked with allotting houses to those affected. Officials conducted a survey at the site and met with displaced persons to collect documentation, such as electricity and property tax bills, to verify eligibility. The city plans to relocate eligible families to the Jehangirpura EWS colony, where approximately 130 units are available. However, a Congress councillor has raised concerns that the one bedroom flats provided are insufficient for large families who previously lived in multi story homes. The demolition affected at least 106 units, and 26 residents have petitioned the High Court for compensation, claiming they were not notified before the action. Separately, the Gujarat health department has launched an extensive drive to prevent disease outbreaks following heavy rains and flooding in south and central Gujarat. Authorities deployed 18,000 surveillance teams and organized 6,868 medical camps, treating over 1.74 lakh people. Preventive medicines were administered to more than 7.61 lakh high risk residents in the districts of Surat, Tapi, Valsad, and Navsari. The state government reported that its Monsoon Action Plan helped avoid a public health emergency despite the evacuation of approximately 27,000 people on August 1.