The new metros on horizon.. Urban Development in Gujarat.. Swarnimsiddhi-45.

A few years back, my daughter chose Ahmedabad [Gandhinagar] IHM to study Hotel Management. My daughter born and brought up in Mumbai, was a typical metro bred girl. Me too, though hailing from Gujarat, had been living in Mumbai and during my childhood years, always felt Gujarat to be dusty rural-like region, where cows and goats strolled on the pavements, more frequently than humans residing there.
But,
Today, we have entirely different conviction regarding Gujarat.. Its rural and urban developments.
My daughter cherishes her years spent in Gandhinagar, as the best period of her life. Ahmedabad, the new metro on horizon, has been the city with ultra trendy malls, buttery roads, clean surrounding, plenty of greenery, technologically savvy, availability of goods, yummy food, comfortable transportation, educational hub with facility to avail almost all types of modern education,
yet,
Bucolic atmosphere, effective bargains in every possible shopping, economically and industrially exemplary progress, peaceful and serene living and pleasant people made Ahmedabad as the most memorable epoch of my daughter’s life.
What prompted such a radical change in growth of the urban areas around Gujarat?
Gujarat, the state has been witness of invariable urbanization. [national 28% and Gujarat 39%] The eternal flow of rural bred people, to the urban areas has created strain on the existing infrastructure.
Thus,
the Urban Development has become an issue concerning colossal number of people.
The urban development, primarily depends upon local organizations and state Nigams, as well as Municipal bodies well governed administration.
Till now, the fund allocation, by state govt. and central govt. for urban development, is insufficient as compared to that allocated for rural growth. As a result, the population, residing in urban localities, remain unsatisfied with financial allocations and administrative skills of urban based organizations.
The state Govt. of Gujarat, realized that without the support of local citizens, it is unfeasible to obtain result in urban development. Thus, it is essential to create bonding between citizens and their town.
To realize this judgment, the Gujarat Govt. celebrated the year 2005, as the Urban Development Year [UDY].
The secondary prime motive behind this programme, is to activate the Public-Private Partnership and to conduct the programme through this P&P Partnership.
The urban development programme included …
1. Creation of network for Water Supply.
2. Creation of facilities to eliminate water congestion.
3. Creation of well maintained main roads.
4. Creation of entertainment zone.
5. Creation of ‘Green’ City.
7. Creation of Sports area.
8. Creation of funeral sites.
9. Up-keep of heritage structure.
10. Creation of Gaurav Path. [Each municipalities have been assigned main roads, which have been updated with help from the people. The unauthorized structures, on the way have been removed. More Green belt has been created. The concrete dividers and footpaths have been created. Street lights have been put.
11. Use and Pay toilets have been created.
12. Traffic junctions have been created.
13. Clean surrounding created.
14. Toll Tax to be charged.
Important Achievements:
First time in the history of state administration, the Gujarat Govt. has successfully implemented progressive steps to create sense of faith among the urban population, with their committed gestures, of promoting all round technical as well as infrastructural development.
The experiments undertaken on behalf of URBAN DEVELOPMENT YEAR, have helped structuring the roots of JNNURM mission.
In the Urban Development Year 2005..
a. In one year span, about 6 million Rs. were spent on 8,500 schemes.
b. In one year span, in public-private partnership, on 1,36 schemes about 571.6 million Rs. were spent.
c. With people’s participation, 103 traffic signals were built and Heritage Walk-Way was created in Ahmedabad, Surat and Bhuj.
d. 1,36,290 unauthorized structures were removed and land worth 4.95 million Rs. [with citizen’s dedicated participation] was emptied.
e. The Tax collection, by all municipalities increased by 11%, as compared to last year.[2004-05]
f. The total expense incurred by 85 municipalities, out of 141, was restricted by 45%
g. 47 municipalities, spent 2.94 million Rs. to create internal water supply system.
h. 118 municipalities collected solid wastage, from residences of citizens.
Thus, dream of Hon. C.M. Shri Narendra Modi, to place Gujarat, on the world map has come true. Gujarat has turned into dream destination, for investment and qualitative standard of living, as the essence of ‘RURBAN’ culture has been accurately realized here. More and more small rural areas are turning into well-equipped townships and cities.[Travelling through Gujarat, every one hour, one passes through a medium or big town]
Today, it is not only Ahmedabad but Vadodara, Surat, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Bhuj, Kandla, Bhavnagar and Keshod have regular air traffic. Plus, Junagadh, Vapi, Valsad, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Navsari, Anand, Nadiad are well developed destinations.
Gujarat, has proven to be preferred destination for education and investment, for people all over the country and globe.
Vande Gujarat..
Vande Matram.