Encroachers to be removed from ASI-protected Sondhan Fort in Sambhal

Meerut: Sambhal district administration has begun the process of removing encroachments from the 380-year-old ASI-protected Sondhan Fort, with officials first working on rehabilitating families living within the complex.SDM Vikas Chandra said, “An administrative team inspected the fort, located in Sondhan Mohammadpur village under Kaila Devi police station limits, on the directions of district magistrate Ankit Khandelwal. The team assessed the number of residents and identified the extent of encroachment within the fort complex.”Officials said the administration has approved 100 sqm land pattas for 21 eligible residents. These plots will be allotted on govt wasteland and barren land near the village. The proposed settlement will be provided with electricity, water and other basic amenities before eviction proceedings are initiated.As per administrative records, the fort stands on about five-and-a-half bigha land, and nearly two-and-a-half bighas have been occupied by 30 to 32 families. Officials said 15 to 16 of these families have no alternative accommodation.Built around 1645 during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the fort covers approximately 3,600 sqm. Its Karwan Sarai gate was restored in April 2026 at a cost of Rs 29 lakh, officials said.Administration’s rehabilitation plan is aimed at ensuring that families without alternative accommodation are shifted before the encroachment removal exercise begins.