Seven islands in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat have been completely freed from illegal encroachments, marking a significant victory for the state’s administration in safeguarding critical maritime zones. These uninhabited islands are of immense importance for India’s maritime security and have been under restricted access.
The large-scale demolition drive, carried out jointly by the district administration, police, and forest departments, targeted 21 islands in the region, of which seven have now been fully cleared. The operation, led under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and supervised by State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, involved the removal of a total of 36 unauthorized constructions.
The cleared islands include Kharachusna, Mithachusna, Ashaba, Dhoryo, Dhabdhabo, Samyani, Bhaidar.
Fifteen illegal constructions were demolished on the Kharachusna and Mithachusna islands alone. The encroachments consisted of religious and commercial structures that had been unlawfully established on these critical maritime zones. Prior to the operation, the district administration conducted comprehensive surveys to identify and map unauthorised structures.
The 21 uninhabited islands in the maritime area of Devbhumi Dwarka hold strategic significance for national security due to their location and restricted access. These islands play a crucial role in India’s maritime defense system, making the removal of encroachments essential to ensure the security and integrity of the region.
In light of the ongoing demolition drive, access to Bet Dwarka—a popular tourist destination—has been temporarily restricted. Barricades have been set up to prevent entry, though regular worship at the temple in Dwarka remains uninterrupted. This temporary measure ensures the safety of tourists and facilitates the smooth execution of the operation.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi took to social media platform X to announce the successful clearance of the seven islands, declaring them 100 per cent free from encroachments. He also shared aerial footage showcasing the restored beauty of the islands. “The historic bulldozer operation in Devbhumi Dwarka has yielded significant results,” he stated, praising the coordinated efforts of the administration and law enforcement agencies.
DevBhoomi Dwarka!
The 7 islands of Dwarka district are NOW 100% encroachment-free!
A total of 36 illegal structures have been successfully removed from the seven islands.
Kudos to the Administration and team for their dedication and commitment to preserving our cultural… pic.twitter.com/cOU9AWfoPE
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) January 21, 2025
District Collector and local authorities emphasised that notices had been issued earlier regarding unauthorised encroachments on government land. Following the expiration of the deadlines, legal action was initiated, leading to the current demolition drive.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the individuals and groups responsible for the unauthorized constructions on these restricted islands. The administration is scrutinizing how these encroachments were facilitated, despite stringent restrictions on access.
The operation has been widely lauded as a necessary step to protect national interests and maintain the ecological integrity of the region. With the successful clearance of these seven islands, authorities plan to extend the operation to other encroached areas in Devbhumi Dwarka.
