Surat emerges as frontrunner to become India’s first slum-free city

Gandhinagar: Surat is poised to become India’s first major slum-free city with a population of over 70 lakh, a development the Gujarat government attributes to sustained urban reforms and long-term planning initiated during prime minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as chief minister of the state.

Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday, state spokesperson minister Jitu Vaghani said the proportion of people living in slum areas in Surat has seen a sharp decline over the past two decades – from about 38 per cent in 2006 to nearly 5 per cent at present. With slum clusters now reduced to a minimal level, the city is close to meeting the criteria to be declared Gujarat’s first slum-free metropolitan area.

Vaghani said the progress reflects a broader vision to transform cities and metropolitan centres by improving housing conditions and living standards for residents of informal settlements. He noted that sustained interventions in affordable housing, basic infrastructure and rehabilitation have significantly reshaped Surat’s urban landscape.

Taking stock of the situation, chief minister Patel directed the chief secretary and senior officials to pursue focused and time-bound measures to formally achieve slum-free status for Surat. He also asked officials to work out a phased plan to replicate the city’s model in other urban centres across Gujarat.

The minister pointed out that while Chandigarh is recognised as India’s first slum-free city, its population is around 10 lakh. In contrast, Surat’s population is estimated to be between 70 and 80 lakh, making the achievement far more complex and significant in scale.

Vaghani added that the state government remains committed to extending similar initiatives to other cities, with the aim of promoting inclusive urban growth and improving the quality of life for residents across Gujarat.

(with inputs from agencies)