Surat: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has stated that in the first month of 2026, the state government approved and launched development works worth more than ₹4,870 crore across Gujarat, aimed at enhancing the ease of living for citizens.

During his visit to Surat, the Chief Minister inaugurated development projects worth ₹173.78 crore undertaken by the Surat Municipal Corporation and laid the foundation stone for additional works worth ₹169 crore, collectively dedicating projects worth ₹342 crore to the people of the city.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the culture of time bound planning introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where projects whose foundation stones are laid are completed within the tenure of the same government, has been successfully implemented in Gujarat.

Under the state government’s Public Housing Redevelopment Scheme 2016, the redevelopment of 1,304 houses at the Gotalawadi Tenement in Katargam has been completed on a Public Private Partnership basis. The housing units were inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. A computerized draw was also conducted for the beneficiaries.

At a function held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium in Aksharwadi, Dabholi, Katargam, the Chief Minister stated that Surat has emerged as a national model for development, cleanliness and urban governance. He said the city’s cleanliness reflects the civic sense and commitment of its citizens, adding that Surat has surpassed even major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai due to its discipline and modern urban planning.

Describing Surat as the growth engine of Gujarat’s development, the Chief Minister said the city is the fastest growing urban centre in the country. Owing to its rapid industrial expansion, people from across India have migrated here for employment, earning Surat the title of Mini India.

Known globally as the diamond and textile capital, Surat has also emerged as a leader in cleanliness, green mobility and sustainable urban development.

He further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is being realized through the mantra of Sauno Saath Sauno Vikas Sauno Vishwas and Sauno Prayaas. The goal of building a developed India by 2047, he added, can be achieved only through collective participation.

The Chief Minister emphasized that cities like Surat serve as hubs of economic dynamism and will continue to lead the journey from Developed Gujarat to Developed India. The ₹342 crore worth of development works dedicated to Surat will significantly enhance the city’s ease of living. The redevelopment of the Gotalawadi Tenement will provide safe, modern and comfortable housing to 1,304 beneficiary families.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi stated that continuous efforts are being made by the government and local administration to ensure balanced development across all areas of the city. He noted that Katargam, Varachha and Mota Varachha have witnessed a major expansion in public facilities.

He announced that the state’s largest and most modern library is being developed in Katargam at a cost of ₹70 crore and will be inaugurated within the next three months, providing educational support to thousands of youth.

The newly constructed auditorium in Dabholi will serve as an important cultural platform for youth, artists and citizens of Katargam and surrounding areas. After Nanpura Gandhi Smriti, Sardar Smriti Varachha and Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium Pal, the Katargam auditorium will further strengthen Surat’s cultural ecosystem.

Sanghvi also highlighted that the Surat Municipal Corporation saves approximately ₹10 crore annually through the use of solar energy, an exemplary step toward environmental sustainability. He said that infrastructure projects such as auditoriums, bridges, libraries and schools are being developed not just for the present, but for future generations, and appealed to citizens to protect and maintain these public assets.

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil said that Surat’s pace of development serves as a benchmark for other cities. Once known for poor sanitation, Surat has today become the country’s leading clean city. He noted that keeping in view the city’s population growth over the next 50 years, the Municipal Corporation has implemented long term water management planning. Surat now has more than 123 bridges, the highest number for any municipal corporation in the country.

He added that the Municipal Corporation earns nearly ₹400 crore annually through wastewater treatment, a figure expected to rise to ₹700 crore in the future, making Surat the first city in India to generate such revenue from wastewater reuse.

Shri Patil further stated that the ₹931 crore Tapi River Purification Project has successfully stopped industrial wastewater from Ukai and Surat spanning nearly 85 kilometres from entering the river.

Projects inaugurated

The event also witnessed the inauguration of:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Dabholi at a cost of ₹70 crore

Jiyav Budia Lake Garden at a cost of ₹12.66 crore

10 MW ground mounted grid connected solar power plant at Vithodar village of Deesa taluka in Banaskantha district at a cost of ₹55.56 crore

Lake Garden Reading Room, Urban Health Centre and Shelter Home

Foundation stone laying for works of the hydraulic, drainage and other departments