Rajkot Municipal Corporation Standing Committee approved 106 of 115 proposals at its final meeting on March five, clearing development works worth Rs4.7 billion (bn) and leaving projects worth over Rs900 million (mn) rejected or pending. The approvals prioritise urban infrastructure, civic amenities and employee welfare and include transport, safety, market and health schemes.

A revised Green Ring Road will convert connecting roads of the 150-foot Ring Road-2 in the west zone into four lanes, with cost rising from Rs1.21 billion (bn) to Rs2.21 billion (bn). A DP Road from Raiya village to the Smart City area was sanctioned at Rs185.8 million (mn), and consultants will be appointed to inspect and repair overbridges and underbridges.

A modern fire station will be built on municipal land behind the Aji Dam Traffic Police Station in Ward No. 15 at a cost of Rs301.6 million (mn). The facility will have basement parking for 27 cars and 65 two-wheelers, space for six fire engines, a workshop, a control room and residential provision of four 3-BHK flats and 64 2-BHK flats. The committee also approved renovation of the Jubilee vegetable market with temporary relocation for traders.

The panel approved a 200 per cent increase in medical assistance for RMC employees, raising the limit from Rs0.1 million (mn) to Rs0.3 million (mn) and extending coverage to 21 diseases while excluding addiction-related illnesses, cosmetic surgery and suicide attempts. The corporation has received a Rs5.15 billion (bn) grant under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana but has proposed projects totalling Rs10.3 billion (bn), including Rs7.34 billion (bn) for infrastructure, and has requested an additional Rs2.56 billion (bn) from the state. The committee approved Rs280 million (mn) for Saurashtra’s first Sponge Park on a 34,800 sq. metre site and sanctioned a library at Rs189.7 million (mn). With the current term ending on March 11, authorities indicated foundation-stone ceremonies are expected before the term concludes.