Ahmedabad: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Har Ghar Swadeshi, the Gujarat government has announced the establishment of ‘Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls’ in four major cities of the state.
Under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel, the initiative aims to create a modern and permanent marketplace for local artisans, self-help groups, street vendors, and small entrepreneurs to sell swadeshi products.
Urban Malls Planned in Four Major Cities
The Gujarat government plans to launch Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls in four municipal corporations:
- Ahmedabad
- Surat
- Vadodara
- Rajkot
These malls will provide a well-organised and modern platform where local producers can directly sell their products to customers, encouraging citizens to adopt swadeshi goods.
Gujarat Urban Livelihood Mission to Implement the Scheme
The project will be implemented under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department through the Gujarat Urban Livelihood Mission.
The scheme aims to establish permanent and structured marketplaces for indigenous products within municipal corporations, ensuring consistent demand and better income opportunities for local artisans and small businesses.
Success of Swadeshi Festivals Inspired the Initiative
The idea of creating permanent urban malls comes after the success of plastic-free ‘Swadeshi Festivals’ organised in 16 municipal corporations across Gujarat during the Urban Development Year 2025–26.
These festivals gave local artisans, women from self-help groups, street vendors, and small traders an opportunity to display and sell their products.
Building on this success, the government is now introducing permanent Swadeshi Urban Malls to provide a sustainable marketplace for local products.
Direct Connection Between Buyers and Sellers
The Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls will help establish direct interaction between buyers and sellers, allowing customers to access a wide variety of indigenous products at a single location.
The facilities will also host:
- Swadeshi fairs
- Local markets (haats)
- Exhibitions and promotional events
This initiative is expected to further strengthen the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement and boost the demand for Indian-made products.
₹45 Crore Budget Allocation for the Initiative
To support the program, the Gujarat government has allocated ₹45 crore in the 2026–27 state budget for the development of Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls and the organisation of Swadeshi fairs.
Officials believe the initiative will empower local artisans and small entrepreneurs, create new economic opportunities, and contribute to the broader goal of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Boost to Local Economy and Self-Reliance
By providing a modern retail platform for indigenous products, the Gujarat government aims to strengthen the local economy, promote traditional craftsmanship, and encourage citizens to adopt swadeshi goods.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in supporting small businesses and advancing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
