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

Surat, widely known as India’s Diamond Capital, is on course to become the country’s first fully slum-free city. This milestone has been achieved through sustained urban planning, efficient governance, and large-scale implementation of affordable housing schemes aimed at providing permanent homes to all residents.

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

Surat’s Slum-Free Vision and Urban Strategy

According to officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation, the city’s objective is to ensure durable housing for every family, eliminating the need for informal slum settlements.

The core strategy has been in-situ redevelopment, under which existing slum areas are redeveloped into planned multi-storey residential complexes at the same location. This approach allows residents to:

• Remain close to workplaces
• Preserve social and economic networks
• Access better living conditions without displacement

Role of Housing Schemes and Infrastructure Upgrade

A major contributor to Surat’s progress has been the effective rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) along with Gujarat’s state housing initiatives.

Key features of the housing programme:

• Affordable homes for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and LIG/MIG groups
• Piped water supply and proper drainage
• Paved internal roads and street lighting
• Improved sanitation and civic amenities

These measures have ensured dignified urban living standards for rehabilitated families.

Managing Migration and Industrial Growth

As a major textile and diamond-processing hub, Surat attracts a large migrant workforce every year, creating constant pressure on housing demand. Despite this challenge, municipal data shows that lakhs of residents have been successfully rehabilitated into permanent housing over recent years.

Surat’s ability to balance rapid industrial growth with inclusive urban development is now being studied as a replicable model for other Indian cities.

National and Global Significance

Once formally declared slum-free, Surat will mark a historic milestone in India’s urban transformation journey. The achievement is expected to:

• Strengthen India’s global image in inclusive city planning
• Provide a scalable template for other metropolitan regions
• Support the national goal of Housing for All

Urban planners and policy experts see Surat’s model as a benchmark for sustainable and humane city development.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Surat is known as India’s Diamond Capital
• It is nearing status as India’s first slum-free city
• In-situ redevelopment rebuilds housing at the same location
• PMAY supports affordable housing for urban poor
• Urban local bodies play a crucial role in slum rehabilitation

Question & Answer

Q1. Which city is set to become India’s first fully slum-free city?
(a) Ahmedabad
(b) Surat
(c) Indore
(d) Pune
Answer: Surat

Q2. Surat is popularly known as India’s ________.
(a) Textile Capital
(b) Financial Capital
(c) Diamond Capital
(d) Steel Capital
Answer: Diamond Capital

Q3. What does in-situ redevelopment mean in urban housing projects?
(a) Relocating residents to new cities
(b) Temporary housing provision
(c) Rebuilding housing at the same location
(d) Rural housing development
Answer: Rebuilding housing at the same location

Q4. Which central scheme has significantly contributed to Surat’s slum rehabilitation?
(a) AMRUT
(b) Swachh Bharat Mission
(c) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
(d) Smart Cities Mission
Answer: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Q5. Which authority plays a key role in implementing slum rehabilitation projects at the city level?
(a) State Legislature
(b) High Court
(c) Urban Local Bodies
(d) Election Commission
Answer: Urban Local Bodies

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