+
Gujarat Unveils Major Push for Urban Development
ECONOMY & POLICY

Gujarat Unveils Major Push for Urban Development

In alignment with the upcoming ‘Urban Development Year 2025’, the government has announced a strategic investment focused on environmentally sustainable infrastructure and people-centric public services. The financial support is primarily directed toward newly established municipal corporations, aiming to help them develop essential civic assets such as roads, sanitation systems, public lighting, and community institutions.

A substantial portion of the allocated budget—Rs 5.85 billion—has been designated for eight cities that have recently attained municipal corporation status. These cities are emerging as key urban centres expected to drive Gujarat’s next phase of smart urbanisation. Officials noted that the initiative has been meticulously planned to generate long-term environmental and social benefits.

The development blueprint integrates city beautification and modern civic amenities with strong physical infrastructure, thereby fostering urban ecosystems that are both liveable and resilient. The plan also includes educational institutions, early childhood care centres, libraries, and healthcare units, underscoring a comprehensive approach to urban planning.

To address the growing challenges in urban mobility, the government has also decided to back clean energy-based public transportation. An annual allocation of Rs 390 million has been made for the period from 2025 to 2027 to operate CNG-powered buses under a state-run bus service scheme. This move is expected to reduce the reliance on private vehicles and curb carbon emissions in the expanding urban areas.

In addition to these cities, the state’s major urban development authorities have received funds under a flagship urban renewal programme. One such authority has been granted Rs 3.75 billion to establish a modern sewage treatment plant and a multi-purpose sports complex—projects designed to combine utility with quality-of-life improvements. Another development authority has secured Rs 970.81 billion to upgrade road infrastructure and install energy-efficient LED lighting, further advancing climate-responsive urban planning.

To foster innovation and operational efficiency, existing municipal corporations will implement various infrastructure projects through public-private partnership (PPP) models. These initiatives will focus on constructing water pipelines, sewerage systems, and roads in residential areas developed via participatory planning frameworks. The PPP model is expected to enhance operational agility while promoting civic engagement and a sense of local ownership in urban development.

With this expansive funding strategy, Gujarat is laying a strong foundation for a sustainable and inclusive urban future. The investment comes at a critical time when urban areas are grappling with challenges such as rapid population growth, climate change, and ageing infrastructure. Through its focus on smart design, clean mobility, and resilient infrastructure, the state is reimagining its urban centres to thrive amid evolving socio-economic dynamics. This forward-looking approach to decentralised, eco-friendly, and community-focused city development is poised to become a model for other Indian states seeking to balance infrastructure expansion with sustainability and citizen welfare.

News source: Urban Acres

In alignment with the upcoming ‘Urban Development Year 2025’, the government has announced a strategic investment focused on environmentally sustainable infrastructure and people-centric public services. The financial support is primarily directed toward newly established municipal corporations, aiming to help them develop essential civic assets such as roads, sanitation systems, public lighting, and community institutions. A substantial portion of the allocated budget—Rs 5.85 billion—has been designated for eight cities that have recently attained municipal corporation status. These cities are emerging as key urban centres expected to drive Gujarat’s next phase of smart urbanisation. Officials noted that the initiative has been meticulously planned to generate long-term environmental and social benefits. The development blueprint integrates city beautification and modern civic amenities with strong physical infrastructure, thereby fostering urban ecosystems that are both liveable and resilient. The plan also includes educational institutions, early childhood care centres, libraries, and healthcare units, underscoring a comprehensive approach to urban planning. To address the growing challenges in urban mobility, the government has also decided to back clean energy-based public transportation. An annual allocation of Rs 390 million has been made for the period from 2025 to 2027 to operate CNG-powered buses under a state-run bus service scheme. This move is expected to reduce the reliance on private vehicles and curb carbon emissions in the expanding urban areas. In addition to these cities, the state’s major urban development authorities have received funds under a flagship urban renewal programme. One such authority has been granted Rs 3.75 billion to establish a modern sewage treatment plant and a multi-purpose sports complex—projects designed to combine utility with quality-of-life improvements. Another development authority has secured Rs 970.81 billion to upgrade road infrastructure and install energy-efficient LED lighting, further advancing climate-responsive urban planning. To foster innovation and operational efficiency, existing municipal corporations will implement various infrastructure projects through public-private partnership (PPP) models. These initiatives will focus on constructing water pipelines, sewerage systems, and roads in residential areas developed via participatory planning frameworks. The PPP model is expected to enhance operational agility while promoting civic engagement and a sense of local ownership in urban development. With this expansive funding strategy, Gujarat is laying a strong foundation for a sustainable and inclusive urban future. The investment comes at a critical time when urban areas are grappling with challenges such as rapid population growth, climate change, and ageing infrastructure. Through its focus on smart design, clean mobility, and resilient infrastructure, the state is reimagining its urban centres to thrive amid evolving socio-economic dynamics. This forward-looking approach to decentralised, eco-friendly, and community-focused city development is poised to become a model for other Indian states seeking to balance infrastructure expansion with sustainability and citizen welfare. News source: Urban Acres

Next Story
Real Estate

No glass boxes!

India is moving away from the ‘glass box’ syndrome, all-glass façades that were widely used in commercial buildings in the last two decades but came at a significant environmental cost given the country’s predominantly hot and humid climate. Poor thermal performance, excessive heat gain and dependency on mechanical cooling systems made buildings with glass façades energy guzzlers and significantly increased their carbon footprint.That said, it’s important to be aware that “glass is not the enemy,” points out Heena Bhargava, Architect, Architecture Discipline. “How it ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Why do pavements fail?

India’s highways continue to expand at a healthy pace. But conversations on the surface quality of highways are growing louder because major deficiencies and black spots continue to be identified, and they are cause for concern.“Road surface roughness causes vehicle vibrations that, in turn, can affect the performance of drivers,” explains Dr V K Gahlot, Road Safety Auditor, Centre for Research and Sustainable Development (CfRSD). “Continuous exposure may induce fatigue, a contributory factor to road accidents. Road surface roughness also affects the vehicle operating cost...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

APAC Logistics Rents Fall for First Time Since 2020

Logistics rents across the Asia-Pacific region declined 0.4% year-on-year in H1 2025, marking the first annual drop since 2020, according to Knight Frank’s Logistics Highlights H1 2025 report. Despite global trade tensions and cautious occupier sentiment, India emerged as a standout performer, driven by robust manufacturing momentum and supply chain recalibration.Regional Trends and DivergenceWhile rents largely remained stable across most markets, regional differences became more pronounced:Mainland China continued to see rental declines, though the pace of decline moderated to 12.8% YoY, s..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?