SMC to run city buses on 19 routes for Suvali Beach Festival 2026

Surat: To facilitate travel during the Suvali Beach Festival, city bus services will operate on 19 routes across the city, with 23 buses deployed to manage visitor movement.

The festival, scheduled from January 9 to 11, aims to promote Suvali as a tourism destination by boosting coastal tourism, generating local employment, and creating livelihood opportunities for residents and small vendors. The additional bus services are intended to ease congestion, as the annual event draws large crowds and heavy private vehicle traffic often causes major jams on the Hazira National Highway.

Although infrastructure upgrades have improved access and visitor facilities, high vehicle volumes continue to strain parking and traffic flow. Earlier, safety concerns, narrow approach roads and limited parking had also restricted footfall.

This year’s festival will feature adventure sports, a food court with around 125 stalls offering regional specialities such as Nagli-based dishes, Dang cuisine and Umbadiyu, along with craft stalls, selfie zones, children’s activity areas, cultural programmes, folk performances and games. DeshGujarat