Surat to Compete with London in Growth: Roadmap Set to Achieve $1.5 Trillion Economy by 2047; Master Plan Developed by Central Government
The Central Government has selected several cities across the country to boost India’s GDP. These cities will develop economic hubs, creating clusters that help advance both the city and nearby districts by integrating small and large industries. This initiative aims not only to promote the development of the respective states and districts but also to significantly contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Today, the Surat Economic Region was launched in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel by NITI Aayog. Four cities have been identified for the Central Government’s Economic Hubs: Mumbai, Varanasi, Surat, and Visakhapatnam. A master plan has been created to foster economic growth in these cities, with the vision of achieving the goals by 2047.
Surat Economic Region Set to Contribute $1.5 Trillion to India’s GDP
In the event, a presentation was given by NITI Aayog outlining the strategic plan, with key points discussed in detail. The presentation focused on how much India will develop by 2047 and specifically how these four selected cities will contribute to the country’s growth.
A target has been set for the Surat Economic Region to contribute up to $1.5 trillion to India’s GDP. Given Surat’s rapid growth on the global stage, the surrounding districts of Bharuch, Dang, Navsari, and Tapi in South Gujarat have also been included in the plan.
Surat Poised to Surpass London’s Economy by 2047
With Surat’s diamond and textile industries rapidly advancing, the city is already making a significant contribution to India’s GDP.
The future looks promising for both sectors, and if the roadmap prepared by NITI Aayog is successfully implemented, Surat could surpass London’s economy by 2047.
Seven Key Pillars for Economic Growth
To accelerate the development of industries in Surat and South Gujarat, preparations have already begun. In the coming days, new projects will be launched, covering sectors such as diamond, textile, chemical, agriculture, education, and medical fields across South Gujarat.
The economic growth plan is built on seven key pillars: Rapid Growth City, Chemical Hub, Diamond Hub, Textile Hub, Tourism, Agro Processing, and Strategic Regional Connectivity.
Development Based on Different Zones
Efforts are underway to maximize the use of coastal areas to boost economic growth. Growth will be driven through zones like Dahej PCPIR, HSR Zone, Dream City Coastal Zone, and Wildlife Zone. Bharuch in South Gujarat shows great potential for developing a Chemical Hub. In Dang district, tourism and local industries can be promoted.
Surat city is rapidly advancing as a hub for diamond, textiles, and medical equipment. There are also significant opportunities in the real estate and agriculture sectors. Navsari district has strong potential for large-scale food processing, and there is a proposal to develop Surat and Navsari as twin cities, further enhancing the growth of industries like textiles.
Applause is Over, Now It’s Time to Act
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that while the Central Government and NITI Aayog have laid out detailed plans on paper, it is now our responsibility to bring those plans to life. During the event, the presentation left everyone happy and applauding, but now is the time to get to work. The goal is to surpass cities like London by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several decisions to boost the nation’s growth, and to achieve the targets set by him, we must all work together. Surat is one of the four cities selected from across the country. Gujarat is the growth engine of the nation, and Surat is the growth engine of Gujarat. With Surat being chosen as one of the key cities, the upcoming development won’t be limited to Surat alone but will extend across South Gujarat’s industrial sectors.
100 Flights to Begin Operations Soon
Union Minister C.R. Patil highlighted the immense potential in Surat, stating that currently, around 60 flights operate daily from the city. However, he confidently assured that in the coming days, this number will rise to 100 flights.
Although there was a reduction in flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is set to see the launch of 100 flights once again in the near future.
Gujarat Surpasses West Bengal in GDP Growth
Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghavi, in response to a question during the event, emphasized the importance of having a clear goal and strategy for progress. He noted that since 2002, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, he transformed the state into a policy-driven powerhouse.
In 2002, West Bengal had a GDP growth of 8.4%, while Gujarat’s was at 6.1%. Since Modi’s leadership, Gujarat has seen rapid development, and by 2024, Gujarat has overtaken West Bengal in GDP growth. In 2024, Gujarat’s GDP stands at 8.1%, while West Bengal’s has reached 5.7%.
Indirect Jibe at Mamata Banerjee
During the event, Harsh Sanghavi subtly compared the governance of Mamata Banerjee with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee is currently seen as one of the strongest political rivals in the country.
Sanghavi raised questions about the development of industries and GDP growth under her leadership in West Bengal. His remarks suggest that he was questioning Mamata Banerjee’s vision. The specific mention of West Bengal during his response sparked political discussions, as it appeared to target her administration directly.
