The Bhupendra Patel government in Gujarat is moving towards the goal of a Developed India by 2047 by focusing on the strategic development of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the state, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is working on developing five satellite towns by 2030. Urban planners have been invited to create comprehensive master plans for these cities to enhance infrastructure and civic amenities.
Tenders have been issued to engage national and international urban planning consultants for this initiative. The appointed planners will aim to complete the master plans within a year, with the objective of providing these towns with top-notch infrastructure and civic facilities. This move is expected to alleviate the burden on major cities while establishing new economic and employment centers near urban areas.
The state’s urban development strategy, known as “Earning Well-Living Well,” has identified Sanand near Ahmedabad, Savli near Vadodara, Kalol near Gandhinagar, Bardoli near Surat, and Hirasar near Rajkot as the initial five satellite towns. These cities will be transformed into vibrant economic hubs with integrated planning for transportation, industry, tourism, education, and healthcare services.
A satellite town is a city located within an hour’s travel from a major urban center, designed to accommodate population growth and economic activities. By empowering these towns, the government aims to foster balanced urbanization, create local job opportunities, and alleviate infrastructure strains on major cities.
The proposed satellite towns will boast top-tier infrastructure, efficient public transport systems including electric buses, advanced water supply and waste management facilities, ring roads, urban parks, developed lakes, modern fire stations, and mixed-use zones combining residential, commercial, and office spaces. To ensure prompt implementation, dedicated approval and monitoring committees have been established. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the significance of urban areas as growth drivers of the nation, advocating for their development as economic hubs to realize a developed India.
He highlighted that a substantial number of Indian startups are emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, many of which are women-led, showcasing the immense untapped potential of smaller urban centers. Through this initiative, Gujarat aims to position its smaller cities as pivotal contributors to future growth, marking a significant stride towards inclusive and sustainable urban development leading up to 2047.
