The Gujarat government has sanctioned over ₹1,700 crore for urban development projects across major and emerging city regions, including Ahmedabad, Morbi, Vapi, and Surendranagar. Cleared under a flagship state scheme, the funding aims to upgrade roads, water systems, public infrastructure, and civic amenities, with a focus on sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban growth across municipal bodies.
In a move poised to reshape the urban landscape of one of India’s fastest-growing states, Chief Ministerial clearance has been granted under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Urban Development Scheme. The initiative encompasses both legacy city corporations and newly upgraded urban bodies, aligning infrastructure expansion with equitable access and environmental responsibility. Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s financial capital, will receive ₹546 crore for integrated urban works including solar-powered lighting systems, drainage network improvements, and beautification of public spaces. Gandhinagar, the administrative heart, will get ₹32 crore, ensuring institutional hubs also keep pace with essential civic upgrades.
Significantly, over ₹1,090 crore will be directed to six newly notified municipal corporations — Morbi, Surendranagar, Vapi, Anand, Navsari, and Nadiad. These cities, critical to Gujarat’s industrial and demographic growth, have faced infrastructure bottlenecks due to accelerated urbanisation. With Morbi set to receive ₹270 crore, Surendranagar ₹257 crore, and Vapi ₹251 crore, the focus will be on strengthening arterial roads, smart lighting, stormwater management systems, and public green zones — all critical for urban climate adaptation. The approvals also include ₹676 crore for 247 multi-functional civic projects such as traffic junctions, fire safety systems, civic centres, rainwater harvesting, and landscaped parks. In line with sustainable mobility goals, ₹652 crore has been sanctioned for road renovations across major cities. This includes resurfacing, white topping, and new road constructions, especially for corridors wider than 60 feet — a boost to both public and goods transport infrastructure.
Civic utilities — often under-prioritised in smaller cities — have received renewed attention. ₹191 crore will go toward stormwater drainage, sewerage systems, filter plant restoration, and water supply infrastructure in Surendranagar, Vapi, and Anand. These efforts are aimed at preventing seasonal flooding and ensuring year-round access to clean water — core components of any future-ready urban centre. Further, ₹31 crore has been allocated to develop iconic urban road corridors in Anand and Surendranagar — an effort to merge functional utility with urban aesthetics, enhancing both investor appeal and liveability. Another ₹67 crore will support clean drinking water systems in Morbi, Siddhpur, and Himmatnagar, ensuring basic service equity as urban sprawl increases.
The strategy also embraces local participation. A relatively modest ₹85 lakh has been earmarked for paving works in Bharuch under the Private Society Janbhagidari Scheme, reaffirming the government’s commitment to citizen-led neighbourhood improvements. Halvad and other peri-urban regions will receive targeted funds for underground drainage, water connections, fire stations, and road concrete upgrades, reinforcing regional connectivity and disaster readiness. Gujarat’s broad-spectrum urban investment — ranging from core infrastructure to public utility modernisation — signals a deliberate policy shift. By addressing the needs of both large metros and mid-sized towns, the state is building a more balanced, eco-sensitive, and inclusive urban growth model. In the context of India’s ongoing urban transition, this framework may well serve as a blueprint for other states seeking to combine development with sustainability.
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