Egypt removed more than 41,000 illegal encroachments on state-owned land, agricultural land, and unauthorised buildings during the 29th nationwide enforcement campaign, the Ministry of Local Development and Environment said on Monday.
The ministry said the campaign, carried out between May 2 and July 17, 2026, was implemented in coordination with governorates, state authorities, and security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to protect state property, preserve agricultural land, and curb illegal construction.
According to the ministry, authorities removed 19,325 targeted violations during the campaign’s three phases.
These included 7,093 encroachments on state-owned land, comprising 4,552 illegal buildings covering around 1.6 million square metres and 2,541 cases involving the unlawful use of agricultural land spanning approximately 30,300 feddans.
Authorities also regularised the legal status of 1,692 cases through land contracts, compensation payments, or applications for legalisation under Law No. 168 of 2025.
The campaign further removed 8,480 illegal spatial changes, including 7,779 unauthorised buildings within designated urban boundaries covering roughly one million square metres and 701 violations outside urban boundaries affecting around 164 feddans.
In addition, authorities demolished 3,742 illegally constructed buildings on privately owned agricultural land, covering approximately 450 feddans.
The ministry said enforcement efforts also extended to 22,640 additional violations that were not included in the campaign’s original targets but were identified through monitoring systems during the operation.
These included 4,821 encroachments on state-owned land, of which 4,329 involved illegal buildings covering around 1.2 million square metres, while 492 cases involved the illegal use of agricultural land covering approximately 997 feddans.
Authorities also removed 6,745 illegal spatial changes and demolished 11,074 unauthorised buildings constructed on privately owned agricultural land covering around 411 feddans.
The ministry said all operations were monitored in real time through the National Emergency and Public Safety Network’s control centre and a digital platform used to track demolition activities nationwide.
Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad said the ministry would continue coordinating with governorates and relevant authorities to remove illegal encroachments and take legal action against violators.
She stressed that protecting state-owned and agricultural land remains a government priority because of its importance in safeguarding public assets, preventing unplanned urban expansion, and supporting sustainable development.
