Gandhinagar: With the aim of encouraging citizens to adopt locally made products, ‘Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls’ will be set up in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, the Gujarat government announced.

The Gujarat Urban Livelihood Mission (GULM), under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, is implementing the Namo Swadeshi Urban Mall scheme to promote indigenous products. The initiative aims to create permanent, modern marketplaces in municipal corporation areas to encourage people to buy locally made goods.

According to an official release, during Urban Development Year 2025-26, Swadeshi Melas were organised in 16 municipal corporations as part of the plastic-free Swadeshi Festival. The events provided local artisans, women from self-help groups, street vendors, and small traders an opportunity to showcase and sell their products.

To provide a broader and permanent market for indigenous goods, the government has decided to establish Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. These malls will offer a well-organised and modern platform for artisans, self-help group members, street vendors, and small-scale entrepreneurs to sell their products.

‘Vocal for Local’ campaign to get boost

The malls will create a direct link between buyers and sellers, allowing consumers to access a wide range of indigenous products at one place while giving local producers a reliable market. The spaces can also host fairs, haats, and exhibitions, further strengthening the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.

The state government has allocated ₹45 crore in the 2026-27 budget for setting up Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls and organising Swadeshi Melas, the release said. DeshGujarat