Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gujarat on March 31 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for a series of urban development projects, as the state marks two decades of sustained urbanisation and infrastructure growth. The visit coincides with Gujarat’s reflection on its transformation since 2005, when Modi, then Chief Minister, had declared the year as “Urban Year” to prioritise city development.
Over the past 20 years, Gujarat has witnessed extensive expansion in planned urban infrastructure, according to state officials. Major improvements have been made in road networks, street lighting, drinking water pipelines, sewerage systems, and the development of urban green spaces. Housing initiatives have also focused on providing affordable homes for economically and socially weaker sections, supported by town planning schemes designed to enhance urban living standards.
To maintain this momentum, the government led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has designated 2025 as “Urban Development Year.” The state has significantly strengthened its transport infrastructure, with ongoing projects spanning road, rail, and air connectivity. Overbridges and underbridges are being constructed in major cities such as Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Surat to address increasing traffic demands.
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Key infrastructure milestones include the operationalisation of the Sudarshan Setu bridge connecting Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, along with several highway and expressway developments such as the Jamnagar-Bhatinda Highway and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. Additionally, two major greenfield corridors — the Namo Shakti Expressway and the Somnath-Dwarka Expressway — have been announced to further enhance regional connectivity across the state.
Urban transport has also seen rapid growth through metro rail expansion. Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad Metro has improved connectivity between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, while Surat is preparing for its metro operations with new trainsets. National projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the introduction of multiple Vande Bharat Express services have further strengthened Gujarat’s position as a transportation hub.
Beyond transport, Gujarat has made significant strides in urban utilities and housing. Under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, water supply and sewerage projects have been expanded to thousands of households, while the Smart City Mission has nearly completed hundreds of projects across six major cities. Housing initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) have delivered over 9 lakh homes, with more planned under its next phase. With increased budget allocations, including funding for Olympic-ready infrastructure ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, officials say Gujarat’s urban growth continues to be driven by industrial expansion, investment, and migration into rapidly developing city centres.
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