Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a set of urban mobility and regional planning measures in the Budget 2026-27 aimed at reducing congestion in large cities while creating new growth centres across the state.

Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai said the state will introduce smart parking systems in cities and municipalities with an outlay of ₹100 crore to improve pedestrian movement and make urban transport more efficient.

Smart parking to ease congestion

Under the proposal, parking spaces is expected to be digitally mapped and managed through technology platforms that guide motorists to available slots in real time. Authorities expect the system to reduce roadside parking, traffic bottlenecks and unnecessary vehicle circulation in busy areas.

The initiative is also expected to improve accessibility for pedestrians by freeing up footpaths and reducing encroachment by parked vehicles. Civic bodies will implement sensor-based monitoring and integrated payment systems in phases across urban centres.

Five satellite towns planned

In a broader strategy to decongest major cities and distribute economic growth, the government announced plans to develop five new satellite towns near key urban hubs:

Kalol

Sanand

Savli

Bardoli

Hirasar

These towns will be developed with modern civic infrastructure and employment opportunities so that residents can live closer to workplaces rather than migrating to large metropolitan cores.

RRTS connectivity

The proposed satellite towns will be linked to nearby major cities through a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), enabling high-speed commuting. Officials said the transport integration will encourage industries and service sectors to expand into new areas while maintaining connectivity with existing economic centres.

With these provisions, Gujarat plans to move toward a modern, secure and disaster-resilient electricity system while improving urban living conditions. DeshGujarat