Gujarat govt allocates over Rs 92,000 crore for urban development in five years

Gandhinagar, Aug 11 (IANS) Gujarat’s urban development budget has increased more than 45-fold in two decades, rising from Rs 660 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 30,325 crore in 2025-26, state spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Vaghani said the increase reflected the expansion of investment in urban infrastructure and basic services across the state.

“More than Rs 92,000 crore had been allocated for the welfare and development of the urban population during the last five years under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel,” he said.

Vaghani said the foundation for the state’s urban development programme was laid in 2005 when the then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the ‘Swarnim Jayanti Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme’.

“The scheme was intended to provide Gujarat’s cities with basic and infrastructure facilities,” he said.

“When the scheme was launched in 2005-06, Gujarat’s urban development budget was only Rs 660 crore,” Vaghani said, adding that allocations to the Urban Development Department had recorded a “historic” increase in recent years.

For 2025-26, the department has been allocated around Rs 30,325 crore, which, according to Vaghani, is more than 40 per cent higher than the allocation in the previous year.

He said the government was also focusing on extending basic amenities beyond established urban areas.

“Along with an emphasis on cleanliness in cities, special focus is being given to extending basic facilities to new societies and outgrowth areas,” he said.

Vaghani said the state government was committed to keeping Gujarat at the forefront of efforts to realise Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

“Urban development and citizens’ welfare would continue to receive priority, and added that development works would not be held up for want of funds,” he noted.

The minister’s remarks come as the state continues to expand urban infrastructure and services in response to the growth of its cities and peripheral areas.

–IANS

mys/dan