States to be asked to emulate Surat's ring road model

The Union Urban Development Ministry is to ask all State governments to follow the Surat’s Outer Ring Road Development (ORRD) model as it has impressed with the ORRD's revenue generation model, prepared by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Under the model, the SMC along with the Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) will generate infrastructure fund to the tune of Rs 5,796 crore by sale of FSI (floor space index) and sale of commercial plots over the period of five years around the 66-km-long and 90 metre wide Outer Ring Road.

It includes 37 km of existent roads encircling the city. New roads will come up in 29 km of area of which 7.5 km will be in SMC and 21.5 km in SUDA limits, says the model. But what is impressive is that 60 per cent of the land acquired will be returned to the land owners as final plot, said sources in the UD Ministry which is studying the model.

Usually projects get hold up because land owners are reluctant of giving their lands. But here they have readily agreed as they will get at least 60 per cent of their land as full plot with all infrastructure facilities, added the sources.

About 40 per cent of the land is acquired for development of infrastructures such as parks, playgrounds, public utilities, for sale of residential, commercial and industrial use with provision of basic facilities like electricity; water supply, sewerage, drainage in 500 sq metre of areas on both sides of the road. No model can be exactly replicated in other cities, a senior official in the UD Ministry said, but Surat model is unique as not only it is without any financial assistance but the value of land is increased by planning such a project.

States need to identify the possibilities of ring roads on Surat model as it would help add revenue to the Government’s coffer also.