Gandhinagar: Gandhinagar witnessed a major development push on Saturday as Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel dedicated and laid the foundation stones for public-centric development works worth Rs 1,848 crore in the city, while announcing another Rs 48.26 crore for new infrastructure projects.
The development works include projects worth Rs 798 crore under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and Rs 1,050 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department. The initiatives span roads, bridges, traffic management, public transport, healthcare, drainage, water supply, gardens and other urban amenities.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Minister of State for Urban Development and Urban Housing Darshna Vaghela were also present at the event.
CM Announces Rs 48.26 Crore for New Gandhinagar Projects
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Gandhinagar continues to host several world-class events under the inspiration and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He highlighted GIFT City, developed under the Prime Minister’s guidance, as a world-class fintech hub and said the government was undertaking new iconic projects to give Gandhinagar a distinct identity among visitors from across the world, including those attending major global events such as the Vibrant Summit.
As part of this effort, the Chief Minister announced new development works worth Rs 48.26 crore.
Among the key announcements are an underpass at Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing, strengthening of the bridge over the Sabarmati River, junction and road development towards PDPU, and road safety and paver works around the GIFT City corridor.
The allocations announced by the Chief Minister include:
- Rs 20.76 crore for an underpass at Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing to ease the increasing traffic burden on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road.
- Rs 12.80 crore for strengthening the bridge over the Sabarmati River connecting Rakshashakti Circle with GIFT City-Shahpur.
- Rs 7.70 crore for junction and road development from GIFT City towards PDPU.
- Rs 7 crore for road safety and paver works from Rakshashakti Circle to GIFT City Circle.
Government Focuses on Saturation of Welfare Schemes
Speaking about the broader development approach, CM Patel said the Central and Gujarat governments have kept citizens at the centre of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He referred to the Prime Minister’s guiding principle of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ and said that the trust placed by the people of Gujarat in the government over the past 25 years has been reflected in public welfare and development initiatives.
According to the Chief Minister, introducing welfare schemes is not enough; it is equally important to ensure that every eligible beneficiary actually receives the intended benefit.
The government, he said, is therefore following a ‘saturation’ approach aimed at achieving 100% coverage of eligible beneficiaries under various schemes. Benefits under schemes including Ayushman, housing, Ujjwala Yojana and tap water connections have been extended to citizens, with the administration making proactive efforts instead of waiting for beneficiaries to approach government offices.
Gandhinagar’s Development Has Accelerated: CM
The Chief Minister said development in Gandhinagar had previously progressed slowly, with even small projects taking considerable time.
He said the situation has changed and development works involving crores of rupees are now being implemented rapidly within the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation area.
Patel attributed the progress to the trust placed by citizens in the government and the Municipal Corporation, which has helped turn development plans into reality.
Referring to GIFT City, he recalled that many people had once questioned the idea behind the project. Today, he said, GIFT City has emerged as a global financial hub.
Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation
The Chief Minister also stressed that development must go hand in hand with environmental protection.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, environmental conservation has been given equal importance alongside development.
Various initiatives are being undertaken for environmental and water conservation, including tree plantation, interlinking and filling of lakes, and recharge borewells.
The government is also expanding library facilities in villages. Patel said that where there is a library, knowledge grows, and where knowledge grows, development accelerates.
‘No Shortage of Funds for Development Works’
Announcing the traffic management and urban development projects, Patel said Gujarat’s strong financial system has ensured that funds are available for development works.
He made it clear that the government is committed to ensuring that no development work is delayed because of a shortage of funds.
The Chief Minister also urged Gandhinagar residents to communicate their local requirements and pending development works to the Municipal Corporation. Once such requirements are communicated to the government through the Municipal Corporation, the remaining development works would also be taken up promptly.
He said the government and citizens must work together with the objective that “Gujarat leads India’s journey towards development, and Gandhinagar leads Gujarat.”
Harsh Sanghavi Highlights Gandhinagar’s Transformation
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the Gujarat Government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has consistently kept people’s interests at the centre of its decisions without political bias.
He said the Chief Minister continues to dedicate one development project after another for the welfare of the people.
Sanghavi particularly praised Patel’s stance against corruption, saying the Chief Minister prefers to let his work speak for itself and has taken a strong stand against corrupt officials.
The Deputy Chief Minister described Gandhinagar’s transformation over the years, saying the city was once primarily known as the “city of the Secretariat”. It has now evolved into a vibrant urban centre featuring modern amenities, education, industry, trade and cultural activities.
He pointed to major landmarks and facilities including universities, the Helipad Exhibition Centre, GIFT City and Mahatma Mandir as examples of the city’s transformation.
According to Sanghavi, Gandhinagar’s streets, which were once largely deserted after evening, now remain active late into the night, reflecting the changing character of the capital city.
Government Pushes Navratri Economy and Public Transport
Sanghavi also highlighted the government’s focus on Navratri, describing the festival as an important reflection of Gujarat’s cultural identity.
He said citizens have been enabled to play Garba and worship Maa Amba late into the night, while the government has sought to create an environment in which small traders can generate business during Navratri on a scale comparable to the Diwali season.
He further said the state government has adopted a direct and swift approach to decision-making and continues to present development projects for the people.
On public transport, Sanghavi said a large number of e-buses have been introduced in Gandhinagar for the convenience of citizens. The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation has provided sufficient buses to ensure connectivity across the city’s streets.
Around 30 New E-Buses Flagged Off
A visible addition to Gandhinagar’s public transport system came with the flagging off of around 30 new e-buses.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flagged off the buses and travelled in one of them, encouraging citizens to make greater use of public transport.
DyCM Appeals to Citizens to Keep Gandhinagar Clean
Sanghavi also appealed to residents to contribute to cleanliness and support sanitation workers.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a clean India could only be carried forward through the collective responsibility of citizens.
He pointed out that even educated and well-qualified people are sometimes seen throwing water bottles, wafer packets and other waste in public spaces. Such behaviour, he said, increases the workload of sanitation workers.
He urged residents to collectively resolve not to litter public places, reduce the burden on sanitation workers and contribute to making Gandhinagar a cleaner city.
Major Civic Projects Across Old Sectors and Villages
Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel said the latest development works are aimed at achieving balanced development across both the city’s established sectors and newly incorporated villages.
She said an 80-metre-wide road connecting Airport Road with Raysan and the service road from Raksha Shakti to Sargasan will be opened to the public to improve connectivity and traffic movement.
New concrete roads will also be constructed to strengthen internal infrastructure in Khoraj, Pethapur, Randheja, Kolavada, Vavol, Vasana Hadmatiya and Adivada.
The city’s water and drainage infrastructure will also receive attention. A new overhead water tank will be provided in Randheja, while new drainage lines will be laid in Sectors 1 to 30 and seven surrounding villages to help prevent waterlogging during the monsoon.
Health, Anganwadis and Green Spaces Get Focus
An Urban Primary Health Centre will be opened in Sargasan to provide better healthcare services to residents.
The development plan also includes modern, well-equipped, theme-based smart Anganwadis. These facilities are intended to offer children a quality learning environment comparable to that available at private play schools.
Modern gardens will be developed at Zundal, Amiyapur and Sector-20, further strengthening Gandhinagar’s green and cultural character.
The Swarnim Cultural Centre at Raysan will also be renovated, while Raysan Chowk will undergo an attractive redevelopment.
Mayor Mira Patel said the objective is to respond promptly to citizens’ basic needs, remain connected with residents, listen to their concerns and address them. She said the government is committed to providing equal basic amenities across both old sectors and newly incorporated villages.
Gandhinagar to Get More Green Spaces and Facilities
Mayor Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid a strong foundation for Gandhinagar’s development and envisioned its transformation from an administrative centre into a world-class smart and green city.
She said Gandhinagar’s MP and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah continues to devote time to the city’s development despite his national responsibilities.
According to her, his detailed planning and continuous monitoring for new lakes, gardens and facilities in peripheral villages are helping Gandhinagar move towards becoming one of the most developed and greenest Lok Sabha constituencies in the country.
She also credited Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi with providing continuous support for Gandhinagar’s development through a positive approach towards proposals and projects and by providing the required financial assistance.
Around 125 Modern Gardens and 18 Lakh Trees
Gandhinagar North MLA Rita Patel said the state capital is now recognised for modern infrastructure and urban facilities spanning education, healthcare, Mahatma Mandir and GIFT City.
She said that under the leadership of Gandhinagar MP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, facilities such as modern libraries, UN Mehta Hospital, Civil Hospital, PHCs, CHCs and other health centres have been developed.
Around 125 modern gardens, including Central Vista, have also been developed for residents’ well-being.
She further stated that around 18 lakh trees have recently been planted to make Gandhinagar greener.
Development Works Worth Rs 798 Crore Under GMC
The Mayor thanked Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for sparing time for Gandhinagar and its residents and for inaugurating and laying foundation stones for development works worth approximately Rs 798 crore under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation.
The total value of the development works dedicated and launched in the city stood at Rs 1,848 crore, comprising Rs 798 crore under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and Rs 1,050 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department.
The event was attended by South Gandhinagar MLA Alpesh Thakor, Deputy Mayor Natubhai Thakor, Standing Committee Chairman Gaurang Vyas, City BJP President Ashish Dave, Roads and Buildings Department Secretary Patelia, Municipal Commissioner J. S. Prajapati, Leader of the Ruling Party Anilsinh Vaghela, Municipal Corporation office-bearers, senior departmental officials, dignitaries and citizens.
With the latest projects covering transportation, roads, drainage, water supply, healthcare, education-linked facilities, public spaces and environmental initiatives, the Gujarat Government has projected the development push as part of its effort to transform Gandhinagar into a modern, clean, green and vibrant capital city.
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