The state government is finalising the draft of “Gujarat Peri‑Urban Development–Rurban Integration Policy” aimed at addressing the mounting pressure of rapid urbanisation in mega cities by creating clusters of advanced villages with urban‑level amenities. In the first phase, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat have been identified for pilot projects.

The initiative aligns with Gujarat’s long‑term push to position itself for global sporting events such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, requiring world‑class infrastructure and balanced regional growth.
According to a senior official of the urban development department, the policy seeks to establish semi-urban hubs within 20–30 km of major cities to reduce pressure on core centres. Unlike conventional satellite towns whose residents travel daily to nearby cities for their jobs, these clusters are envisioned as self‑sustaining economic zones, with employment opportunities generated through mini IT towers, vendor parks and small‑scale industrial estates.
Areas shortlisted include the Kalol‑Kadi and Dehgam belts to support expansion of GIFT City, the Ahmedabad‑Sanand‑Bavla corridor for automobile and logistics vendor parks and Olpad, Kamrej and Sachin in Surat’s periphery, where future Metro connectivity could extend.

Land-pooling on the cards
A key feature under discussion is a land pooling model, treating farmers as “development partners”. Infrastructure such as roads, power grids, drainage and high‑speed internet would be built, after which 50–60% of developed land could be returned to original landowners, enhancing value. The draft also proposes incentives for companies, including property tax relief, subsidised power tariffs and fast‑track single‑window clearances. Officials acknowledge, however, that implementation will be complex. Approvals at the Chief Minister and Cabinet levels, legal procedures, town planning schemes and infrastructure rollout could take 18 months to over two years.