Surat: In a renewed effort to make the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) fully functional, authorities have announced a fresh deadline for the relocation of leading diamond traders from Mahidharpura.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday held discussions with around 45 diamond traders from Mahidharpura, during which it was agreed that operations would shift to the SDB from February 18. Earlier this week, a separate meeting was also conducted with another group of traders to deliberate on the transition process.

Six months ago, during a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister, diamond traders from Mahidharpura and Mini Bazaar had committed to starting operations at the Surat Diamond Bourse from Vasant Panchami. However, the long-delayed transition was once again postponed, with a fresh deadline now announced.

The latest meeting was attended by prominent Mahidharpura traders, including Hitesh Mehta, Shailesh Jogani and Sevantibhai, among others.

During the meeting, traders informed that a ceremonial muhurat would be performed on Vasant Panchami, following which 70 to 80 traders dealing primarily in white and small-sized diamonds would begin operations at the Surat Diamond Bourse by February 18. It was also decided that diamond purchasing activities would be conducted from the SDB.

“It was unanimously decided that traders will begin shifting to the SDB from February 18. We are trying to ensure that participants from different segments relocate together, which will make business operations smoother and more efficient,” said Hitesh Kutchhi, representative of the Surat Diamond Traders’ Association.

Of the 4,200 offices at the Surat Diamond Bourse, fewer than 50 are currently operational. Apart from a limited number of large manufacturers, most traders are yet to begin functioning from the complex. DeshGujarat