The City
Gujarat, the land of entrepreneurs, is on an ambitious growth track, focusing on industry, agriculture, medical tourism, information technology and medical tourism. Focussed urban development is high on priority for the Gujarat government as it seeks to create world class cities and vibrant townships to support economic development..
Surat, Gujarat’s second largest city with a population of 3.5 million is home to 92% of the world’s diamond cutting and polishing industry with exports worth Rs.73,000 crore per annum on an average. Surat is inching its way to becoming an international trading hub for the coveted stones, following the Indian government’s recent move to remove customs duty on cut and polished diamond exports.
Surat is also a thriving textile city, contributing to 28% of India’s synthetic fibre production. Besides, the neighbouring port of Hazira houses heavy engineering plants set up by industry leaders Reliance, Essar, L&T and Shell.
Infrastructure and Facilities
Located on the Golden Quadrilateral highway, Surat is 230 kms from Ahmedabad and 258 kms from Mumbai. Connected by speed trains to Mumbai and Delhi, the city is opening up to air traffic, with public and private airlines also operating to these cities.
Rated as India’s 2nd cleanest city and ranked no.1 on the reside, invest and earn index of India’s top 10 cities, also ranks in the top 10 ‘alpha cities’ or the elite club of 10, based on its strong economy, good governance and connectivity. No mean achievement this, considering Surat’s reputation of harboring the most unhygenic living conditions before the plague hit the city in 1994. It has shown by example how governments and citizens can together turn adversity into an advantage. The City Development Plan for Surat covering the period 2006 to 2012 focuses on promoting economic growth through good administration and enhanced services. The city strives to be a global city, for which the City Plan has allocated Rs. 50 crore for the Inner city alone.
