Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat had declared 2005 as the 'Year of Urban Development'.
It has been 20 years and now the state is on the path of remarkable urbanisation. In a bid to ensure that the development of Gujarat’s cities aligns with the needs of modern times, the state government has implemented several policies and initiatives. Today, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat is making significant strides on the path of urbanization.
Around 225 town planning schemes have been approved in the last three years, significantly advancing urbanisation across the state. Apart from essential urban infrastructure, roads, street lighting, and drinking water pipelines, have been developed in all cities. Special focus has been laid on providing houses for economically and socially disadvantaged groups in urban areas. This systematic and strategic urban planning has greatly enhanced the ‘Ease of Living’ for residents in Gujarat’s cities.
Under the Smart City Mission launched by the Government of India, six cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar and Dahod were selected to undergo transformative urban development. A total of 354 projects worth Rs 11,451 crore were initiated in these cities. Out of these, 348 projects worth ₹11,056 crore have been completed, while six worth ₹395 crore are in the final stages of completion.
Robust road, rail, air connectivity
Gujarat boasts a robust transportation network with extensive road and railway systems, modern international airports and strategic ports. The state government has built overbridges and underpasses to manage rising vehicular traffic, particularly in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Surat, ensuring smoother and faster travel. Urban local bodies maintain over 28,618 km of roads, guaranteeing reliable connectivity and infrastructure upkeep.
In February 2024, the state-of-the-art Sudarshan Setu, a signature bridge connecting Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, was inaugurated at a cost of Rs 979 crore. Additionally, Gujarat is witnessing the construction of major road projects like the Jamnagar-Bhatinda Highway, Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, and Porbandar-Dwarka National Highway, further strengthening the state’s road infrastructure.
Moreover, this year’s budget announced the development of two greenfield expressways: Namoshakti and Somnath-Dwarka. The Namoshakti Expressway, spanning 430 km from Deesa to Pipavav, will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 36,120 crore. The Somnath-Dwarka Expressway, covering 680 km, will be constructed at an estimated Rs 57,120 crore, enhancing connectivity for areas around Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Dwarka.
Due to Prime Minister Modi's leadership, Gujarat now benefits from operational metro rail systems. He launched the Ahmedabad and Surat Metro Rail projects. In September 2022, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first phase of the Ahmedabad Metro, connecting Thaltej to Vastral. In September 2024, he launched the second phase, linking key areas in Ahmedabad with Gandhinagar. Meanwhile, the Surat Metro project is advancing swiftly.
Gujarat is making significant progress in strengthening its railway infrastructure, positioning itself as a future-ready hub for high-speed and modern rail connectivity. The country’s first Bullet Train project, connecting Ahmedabad in Gujarat to Mumbai in Maharashtra, is rapidly advancing. These two cities are set to become the first in India to witness the high-speed transformation brought about by the Bullet Train.
In September 2022, the Prime Minister flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express from Gandhinagar to Mumbai, marking a new chapter in semi-high-speed travel from Gujarat. Since then, three more Vande Bharat trains have been launched in the state- Jodhpur–Sabarmati (Ahmedabad), Ahmedabad–Okha, and Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 89 railway stations in Gujarat will be redeveloped and 18 of them were inaugurated by the Prime Minister on May 22.
Gujarat has also made significant strides in modernizing airport infrastructure. A new Greenfield Airport at Hirasar, Rajkot, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1,405 crore, providing a major boost to the region’s business and economic development.
Additionally, the Surat International Airport has been operationalized with a massive investment of Rs 3,400 crore, enhancing the city’s global connectivity. Under ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN), connectivity has been enhanced at the airports of Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kandla, Keshod, Mundra, and Porbandar in Gujarat.
Diamond Bourse at Surat
Gujarat continues to witness transformative growth in its urban landscape. One of the most significant milestones in this journey is the inauguration of the Surat Diamond Bourse in December, 2023, developed at a cost of Rs 3,400 crore. This world-class facility not only strengthens Surat’s standing as a Smart City but also cements its place as a global trading hub for diamonds and precious stones.
The Surat Diamond Bourse hosts India’s largest Customs Clearance House, a jewellery mall, and facilities for international banking and secure vaults. It acts as a comprehensive hub for artisans, traders, businesses, and buyers in the diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and jewellery trade. Built under the Dream City (Diamond Research and Mercantile City) project, the Bourse is set to become a global hub for gem and jewellery commerce.
Homes for all under PMAY
Gujarat has taken a leading role in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), making homeownership a reality for economically weaker sections and lower-middle-class families in urban areas. Till date, 8.96 lakh houses have been built across the state’s urban regions under the scheme.
As part of innovation-driven urban housing, the Lighthouse Project in Rajkot is leveraging monolithic concrete construction technology to deliver fast and sturdy housing units. A total of 1,144 houses have been built under this project, setting an example for modern affordable housing solutions.
Nine new Municipal Corporations in Gujarat
In a move to enhance urban planning and governance, the Government of Gujarat has upgraded 9 municipalities to the status of municipal corporations. These include Nadiad, Surendranagar, Gandhidham, Morbi, Navsari, Mehsana, Vapi, and Porbandar.
With this, the total number of municipal corporations in the state has risen to 17. These newly formed corporations will benefit from systematic and organized urban planning, enabling better infrastructure, civic amenities, and administrative efficiency. Additionally, adjoining rural areas have been integrated into the jurisdiction of these corporations to ensure uniform access to urban facilities for all citizens.
Successfully operating BRTS in Ahmedabad and Surat
Gujarat’s major cities—Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot—have witnessed significant urbanization. Notably, Ahmedabad holds the distinction of being India’s first Heritage City. Alongside successful urban projects like the Sabarmati Riverfront, BRTS-Janmarg Project, Metro Train, and Atal Footover Bridge, Ahmedabad proudly preserves its historic pol culture and heritage-rich old buildings.
The BRTS bus project, initiated by then-Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi, stands out as a highly successful initiative, with 350 electric buses operating on 16 routes, serving approximately 1.5 lakh passengers daily. Beyond Ahmedabad, the BRTS project is also operational in Surat, where 870 buses run on 67 routes, benefiting around 1.80 lakh passengers daily.
Recognizing Gujarat’s strides in urban development, Ahmedabad was chosen to host the Urban-20 meetings under India’s G20 Presidency. Urban development delegates from G20 nations gathered in Ahmedabad to deliberate on sustainable city planning, smart mobility solutions, and urban resilience. Gujarat’s successful urban models like the BRTS, metro, and heritage conservation were prominently showcased.
Gujarat’s urbanization is a result of its economic growth, industrial development, infrastructure connectivity, and state government initiatives. This process has transformed rural areas into vibrant urban centers, attracting investments, businesses, and migrants. Urban development draws diverse opportunities to the state, making it essential to manage urban growth and ensure sustainable development for citizens’ well-being and the state’s holistic progress.
