Old municipal corporations to mentor nine new ones in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel today stated that the decision to simultaneously convert nine municipalities into municipal corporations, the first such instance in the state’s history, demonstrates the government’s commitment to planned urban development.

The CM was addressing commissioners, administrators, and other officials of the newly formed nine municipal corporations during a one-day workshop held in Gandhinagar.

During the workshop, he noted that it is important to ensure that services and facilities for citizens remain uninterrupted during the transition from municipalities to municipal corporations. To support this transition, it has been decided to assign the existing five major municipal corporations as mentors to the new municipal corporations for one year. This initiative aims to enhance administrative capacity, provide proper guidance, and train manpower for efficient day-to-day operations.

As per this decision, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will mentor the Nadiad and Surendranagar Municipal Corporations; Vadodara Municipal Corporation will mentor Anand; Surat Municipal Corporation will mentor Vapi and Navsari; Rajkot Municipal Corporation will mentor Morbi and Gandhidham; and Jamnagar Municipal Corporation will mentor Porbandar. Additionally, Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation will mentor Mehsana.

The Chief Minister urged the newly appointed commissioners to prioritize visible changes for citizens, focusing on infrastructure such as roads, water, drainage, lighting, and gardens. He also directed them to prepare a roadmap for their towns’ development and communicate financial requirements to the state government.

The Chief Minister also approved a grant of ₹10 crore for administrative capacity building, office strengthening, and other facilities, along with ₹10 crore for city beautification works, including urban cleaning, totaling ₹20 crore for each of the newly formed municipal corporations.

During the workshop, Gujarat Urban Development Institute Director General I.P. Gautham delivered a lecture on future urban planning and development prospects. Urban Development Principal Secretary Ashwinikumar highlighted the government’s swift actions to expedite urban development. DeshGujarat