Ahmedabad: Following the massive demolition drive around Chandola lake against illegal encroachments and alleged Bangladeshi settlement clusters, the civic body on Thursday announced plans to provide economically weaker section (EWS) housing for eligible citizens affected by the demolitions.The decision was approved during an AMC standing committee meeting.To qualify, applicants must have resided in the area prior to Dec 1, 2010, and have an annual income below Rs 3 lakh. “Application forms will be available at the Danilimda ward office, with the AMC planning to conduct a survey to identify eligible residents,” said a senior standing committee member. The demolition drive cleared approximately 1.45 lakh sq m of land around the lake. “Housing allocation will be restricted to Indian citizens, who must undergo police verification to confirm their citizenship status,” says a senior AMC official.The AMC’s 2025-26 budget mentions waterfront development plans for lakes, specifically addressing encroachment issues for the entire city. The budget note states: “There is a need to rehabilitate those living in untenable areas of lakes,” adding that approximately 10,000 kachcha and pucca houses exist around various lakes. The budget allocates Rs 600 crore for constructing 4,000 residences under thePMAY-2 project, which is a central-state partnership where construction costs are shared between the central govt, state and beneficiaries.”Historically, Chandola lake was designed during British rule to carry water from the Khari river through the Kharicut canal, built in 1881. The lake is divided into three sections: two smaller ones and one larger section that typically forms mudflats during summer months. The slum settlements in the area became known as ‘Chandola talav na chhaapra’.