GANDHINAGAR: In a significant move towards planned urbanization, the state government has introduced initiatives to develop towns surrounding Gujarat’s five major cities—Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot—into fully equipped satellite towns.
The Urban Development Department (UDD) has established a high-level committee to expedite infrastructure development, ensuring these new urban hubs evolve alongside their “mother cities.”
As per a government notification released in October, the identified satellite towns include Kalol (under the Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority, Guda); Sanand (under the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority, Auda); Savli (under Vadodara Urban Development Authority, Vuda); Bardoli (under Surat Urban Development Authority, Suda); and Hirasar (under Rajkot Urban Development Authority, Ruda).
A project sanctioning and monitoring committee has also been formed to strategize, fund, and execute new infrastructure initiatives in these towns. “Our goal is to align transport systems, civic amenities, and essential infrastructure in these areas with that of adjacent cities,” remarked a senior government official.
Chaired by the principal secretary of the UDD, the high-powered committee will prioritize forward-thinking infrastructure planning, advanced public transport connections, and coordinated urban development between the main cities and their satellites. Its members will include the municipal administration commissioner, municipal commissioners, CEOs of urban development authorities (UDAs), and approximately ten principal secretaries from crucial departments such as tourism, industries, civil aviation, housing, and education.
To initiate this developmental journey, the state government has allocated an initial fund of Rs 50 crore for the project. All UDAs have been instructed to evaluate their manpower and resource needs in the identified towns.
According to government sources, this initiative represents a pivotal step in Gujarat’s comprehensive urban transformation strategy. They also indicated that more areas—including census outgrowth villages near Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot—could soon fall under the jurisdiction of urban development authorities.
“Integrating these regions will help alleviate pressure on major city centers while establishing new avenues for balanced growth and investment,” a senior official stated.
Sanand’s Upcoming Evolution
Once a tranquil town, Sanand—situated just 22 km from Ahmedabad—has rapidly transformed into one of Gujarat’s top industrial corridors. With Tata Motors as a cornerstone, it now hosts over 50 multinationals, including Coca-Cola, Hitachi, Colgate, Nivea, and Nestlé. Sanand is on the verge of becoming India’s semiconductor hub, with companies like Micron Technology, CG Power, and Kaynes Semicon establishing operations there.
Kalol’s Growth Potential
Auda has been cultivating Kalol as an essential growth center since 2010, with plans to establish an industrial corridor that connects Sanand to Kalol. This corridor aims to synchronize industrial growth with well-planned residential areas for workers. So far, 11 TP schemes have been implemented across Kalol and nearby villages like Borisana, Palsana, Arsodiya Pratap Pura, Ola, Saij, and Dhanaj. Auda has plans for up to 16 TP schemes in the broader Sanand-Kalol-Jaspur region.
Savli’s Industrial Emergence
The designation of Savli as a satellite town is set to broaden the Vadodara Urban Development Authority’s (VUDA) jurisdiction, according to VUDA chairman and Vadodara Municipal Corporation commissioner, Arun Mahesh Babu. Located around 31 km from Vadodara city, Savli has evolved into an industrial hub over recent years, housing major players such as Alstom, Schaeffler, ABB, and Thermax.
Bardoli’s Ascendance
As Surat’s expansion progresses eastward, Bardoli—approximately 33 km from the city—emerges as a crucial growth hub, part of the newly introduced Surat Growth Hub plan. Renowned for its solid cooperative foundation and NRG base, Bardoli already contains a major sugar mill and several educational institutions, including a private university. Urban planners anticipate rapid development along the Surat-Bardoli corridor, akin to the Surat-Navsari stretch, forecasting Bardoli as a prospective twin city for regional growth.
Hirasar’s Transformation
Once a humble village, Hirasar is now gaining traction as a significant growth hub due to its selection as the site for Rajkot’s new greenfield international airport. Integrated into Rajkot district, the area now features its own airport police station and enhanced road connections to Jamnagar, Morbi, and Junagadh. Urban planners predict this airport will catalyze real estate, industrial, and commercial growth—transforming Hirasar into Rajkot’s potential twin city and future growth corridor.
