Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel distributed cheques worth a total of ₹3,850 crore to municipal corporations and municipalities across the state for holistic urban development works.
The funds have been allocated under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, with ₹2,992 crore going to 17 municipal corporations and ₹858 crore to 152 municipalities.
The Chief Minister emphasised that urban amenities and public services should be citizen-centric, transparent, accountable and technology-driven, while stressing the importance of quality, cleanliness and sustainable development.
₹3,850 Crore Allocated for Urban Development
Under the scheme, the state government has distributed funds as follows:
- ₹2,992 crore to 17 municipal corporations
- ₹858 crore to 152 municipalities
- Total allocation: ₹3,850 crore
CM Bhupendra Patel urged elected representatives, commissioners and chief officers to ensure optimum utilisation of the funds and focus on high-quality public welfare projects.
He said development works should directly contribute to improving urban amenities and the ease of living for citizens.
Ahmedabad Gets Highest Allocation of ₹870 Crore
Among the municipal corporations, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation received the highest allocation of ₹870 crore.
Other major allocations include:
- Surat: ₹770 crore
- Vadodara: ₹285 crore
- Rajkot: ₹232 crore
- Bhavnagar: ₹105 crore
- Jamnagar: ₹105 crore
- Junagadh: ₹65 crore
- Gandhinagar: ₹65 crore
In addition, ₹55 crore each was allocated to Gandhidham, Navsari, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Mehsana, Vapi, Nadiad, Anand and Morbi.
₹858 Crore Allocated to 152 Municipalities
The state has also allocated ₹858 crore for development works in 152 municipalities.
The allocation by municipality category includes:
- Class-A municipalities: ₹307.50 crore for 41 municipalities
- Class-B municipalities: ₹221 crore for 34 municipalities
- Class-C municipalities: ₹270 crore for 60 municipalities
- Class-D municipalities: ₹59.50 crore for 17 municipalities
The funds will support various urban development and public infrastructure works.
CM Bhupendra Patel Stresses Quality and Maintenance
CM Patel instructed local bodies to focus not only on new projects but also on maintaining existing and completed infrastructure.
He called for elected representatives and officials to jointly conduct site visits to monitor the progress and quality of development works.
The Chief Minister also directed that newly constructed roads in cities and metropolitan areas should be made using RCC, while giving special attention to urban cleanliness.
He called for strict action in cases of negligence related to cleanliness.
Gujarat to Increase Urban Green Cover
The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to create more environment-friendly cities by increasing green cover.
He said the state government has decided to mandatorily reserve around 1% of land in newly developed Town Planning (TP) Schemes for tree plantation.
The reserved areas can be developed through:
- Gardens
- Oxygen parks
- Tree plantation initiatives
- Other green public facilities
Patel said such measures would contribute to healthier and more sustainable urban environments.
Minister Kanubhai Desai Calls for Focus on Quality
Urban Development and Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai said that no urban development project in the state has been stalled due to a shortage of funds under the present government.
However, he stressed that greater attention must now be given to the quality and sustainability of development works.
Desai also called for urban projects to be planned keeping climate change considerations in mind. He urged local bodies to intensify efforts under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and strengthen cleanliness efforts under the Prime Minister’s Swachhata Abhiyan.
He noted that around 70-75% of India’s population is expected to live in cities by 2047, making planned and quality urban development increasingly important.
Focus on Swachh Cities and Local Economic Development
Minister of State for Urban Development Darshana Vaghela said urban development grants are ultimately aimed at improving the well-being of citizens.
She highlighted plans for Swadeshi Melas to provide platforms for local artisans and artists, along with zone-wise workshops focused on solid waste disposal.
Vaghela expressed confidence that the state’s ‘Quality Work’ and ‘Swachh Gujarat’ missions would help Gujarat strengthen its position in both urban development and cleanliness.
Urban Development Seen as Foundation for Viksit Gujarat
CM Bhupendra Patel said sustained investment in urban development would help create the foundation for Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat.
He recalled that increased allocations for urban development had laid the foundation for comprehensive development, noting the significant increase in funding available for urban infrastructure today.
The Chief Minister urged elected representatives to take the lead in transforming cities through quality development, better public services and improved citizen amenities.
Coffee Table Books on Urban Development Unveiled
During the programme, CM Bhupendra Patel unveiled two coffee table books:
- “20 Years of Urban Development”
- “Anant Anadi Vadnagar: Varsa thi Vikas ni Gaurav Gatha”
The event was attended by Gandhinagar Mayor Meeraben Patel, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department M. Thennarasan, Gujarat Urban Development Company Managing Director Remya Mohan, Gujarat Municipal Finance Board CEO Vina Patel, along with elected representatives, municipal commissioners, presidents, chief officers and other officials.
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