Surat Set to Become India’s First Slum-Free City

Surat, widely known as India’s “Diamond Capital”, is on track to become the country’s first fully slum-free city. Backed by sustained urban planning and efficient implementation of housing schemes, the Gujarat city is nearing the completion of a long-standing goal to ensure permanent housing for all its residents.

Surat’s Slum-Free Vision and Urban Strategy

Officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation said the core objective is to ensure that every family has access to a durable home, eliminating the need for slum settlements. To achieve this, the city has focused on large-scale in-situ redevelopment, replacing informal slum clusters with planned, multi-storey residential complexes. The approach allows residents to remain close to their workplaces and social networks while improving living conditions.

Role of Housing Schemes and Infrastructure Upgrade

A key driver of Surat’s progress has been the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana along with state housing policies. Thousands of affordable housing units have been constructed for economically weaker sections and lower- and middle-income groups. These housing colonies are equipped with essential civic amenities such as piped water supply, proper drainage, paved internal roads, and street lighting, ensuring a dignified urban living environment.

Managing Migration and Industrial Growth

As a major textile and diamond-processing hub, Surat attracts a large migrant workforce each year, making housing management a persistent challenge. Despite this, municipal data indicates that over the past few years, lakhs of residents have been rehabilitated into permanent homes. The city’s ability to balance rapid industrial growth with inclusive urban development is now being studied as a potential model for other Indian cities.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Surat is known as India’s Diamond Capital and a major textile hub.
• In-situ redevelopment refers to rebuilding housing at the same location.
• PMAY aims to provide ‘Housing for All’ through central assistance.
• Urban local bodies play a key role in slum rehabilitation projects.

National and Global Significance

If Surat formally achieves slum-free status, it will mark a significant milestone in India’s urban transformation journey. The success is expected to enhance India’s global image in inclusive city planning and provide a scalable template for other metropolitan regions grappling with slum rehabilitation and affordable housing shortages.