Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved works worth Rs 11,850 mn to upgrade road infrastructure in the Surat Economic Region (SER), the growth hub of south Gujarat. The approval forms part of a broader roadmap prepared by the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT) to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 and to achieve Viksit Gujarat at 2047 during the Amrit Kaal. The GRIT plan set out long term, result oriented priorities centred on infrastructure, innovation, individual and institution. The first tranche comprises 24 road upgradation works covering a total length of 383 kilometres across five districts of the SER. The SER comprises the districts of Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Dang, together contributing more than 35 per cent to the state economy. The upgrades are intended to improve connectivity between major industrial hubs and Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) areas, enhancing logistics efficiency and easing movement of goods and labour. Improved roads are expected to support established sectors such as textile, chemical, petrochemical and diamond industries while directly benefiting fisheries, Hazira Port, sugar factories, Sumul Dairy, papad manufacturers and mining and lignite projects. Stronger links to key GIDC nodes including Kadod, Kadodara, Jolva, Mangrol, Kosamba and Tadkeshwar are expected to accelerate industrial expansion and attract investment in emerging areas such as semiconductors, green hydrogen and logistics. The project is anticipated to create large scale employment opportunities for the youth of the region. The road programme should also speed the transport of agricultural produce to markets and bolster rural livelihoods while making travel to religious and eco tourism sites easier, thus supporting the tourism sector. Positioned as a strategic growth engine for Viksit Gujarat at 2047, the SER is expected to remain central to the state roadmap to build a three point five tn dollar economy by 2047. The approval is likely to give fresh momentum to infrastructure led economic development and inclusive regional growth.