Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple development projects in Surat, Gujarat on World Environment Day, emphasizing the city's transformation into a model of urban development and sustainability. The projects included a major section of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, which will enhance connectivity between two major industrial and trade centers, and a modern ESIC hospital that will provide healthcare services to workers and their families.
The PM highlighted Gujarat's significant contribution to India's renewable energy capacity, noting that the state alone produces 50 GW out of the country's total 250 GW renewable capacity, representing one-fifth of India's green energy production. He specifically mentioned Gujarat's pioneering role in solar energy, referencing India's first solar park built in Charanka village, Patan.
For Surat's water security, the Tapi Barrage Project has been approved to ensure complete drinking water arrangements for the city for many decades to come. The city's circular water economy was highlighted, where wastewater is treated and supplied to industries, managing dirty water while generating revenue.
The speech emphasized green growth initiatives including Surat's plan to transition all city buses to electric mobility, expansion of the Surat Metro, and the development of Hazira Industrial Area as a center for green steel production using green energy. The Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi corridor was mentioned as connecting tribal areas of Narmada and Tapi districts to industrial belts, providing four-lane facilities that will reduce travel time and improve access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
PM Modi noted that Surat has received continuous awards for cleanliness and has maintained cleanliness campaigns despite already achieving recognition, with recent special campaigns involving one lakh people participating in a five-day cleaning drive.