Gandhinagar, May 1: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the third Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Surat on Friday, emphasizing that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiration, Gujarat has adopted an innovative approach to ensure no region is left behind in the race for development. He highlighted the need for districts to showcase their capabilities on a global platform.
Referring to the success of previous VGRCs held in North Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch, he stated that the regional conference serves as a perfect platform for building a developed Gujarat for a developed India with an inclusive development spirit.
During the VGRC for South Gujarat, CM Patel discussed the industrial development potential of Surat and the surrounding districts, including Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Dangs, and Bharuch. He projected that the Surat Economic Region would contribute over 35% to Gujarat’s GSDP by 2047, with a master plan approved to develop Surat as a growth hub under the guidance of the NITI Aayog.
The Chief Minister elaborated on the inherent potential in sectors such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals, textiles and apparel, gems and jewelry, agriculture, real estate, and tourism within the Surat Economic Region. He noted that Surat is becoming a well-connected city with multi-modal transport, linking through dedicated freight corridors, railway corridors, national highways, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, ports, airports, bullet trains, metro rail, and outer ring roads.
On the occasion of Gujarat’s foundation day, CM Patel described the VGRC as an excellent example of the transformative changes and milestones achieved in the state since 2001 under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership. He mentioned that Gujarat handles 40% of the country’s total cargo and holds 18% of industrial output and 15% of renewable energy production. The state’s own tax revenue has surged from ₹9,000 crores to ₹1.55 lakh crores.
Additionally, Gujarat has made significant strides in agriculture, manufacturing, and the service sector over the past two and a half decades, with Sanand and Dholera emerging as semiconductor hubs. Two semiconductor plants are already operational, and the state has become the largest job provider in the country due to the Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit and the Prime Minister’s development vision.
To achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, the state government is preparing six regional economic master plans with around 20 priority sectors, enabling each district to progress with its unique potential. CM Patel announced the roadmap for Developed Gujarat 2047, which aims to enhance investment and employment through futuristic industries like semiconductors, electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and artificial intelligence.
He called upon industry leaders participating in the VGRC to contribute to building a developed Gujarat for a developed India. The Chief Minister also announced the establishment of eight new ‘Smart GIDC’ industrial areas across Surat, Bharuch, Valsad, Tapi, and Navsari, covering a total of 5,380 acres.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi extended greetings to citizens on Gujarat’s foundation day, stating that the VGRC would energize development in Surat and South Gujarat. He presented statistics showing Gujarat’s GDP growth from ₹1.29 lakh crores in 2003 to an estimated ₹27.4 lakh crores by the end of 2025, highlighting the state’s significant contribution to the national GDP.