Smart City Surat: Mission, Objective, Projects, and Current Status

While travelling every day to school, college or work, we often forget the soft impact cities we live in have on us. From people to the infrastructure of the city, every aspect of it profoundly affects us. Whether it’s growing up in a city or moving to the next, we keep a part of the city with us. To improve the connection with one’s city, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Smart Cities Mission in 2015. The Mission is under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.  

The Smart Cities Mission aims to renew and upgrade existing functions in the city to make development sustainable and inclusive. Amenities, infrastructure, housing, employment opportunities, cost of living and cleanliness decide its livability.  In the twenty-first century, we are racing towards development and technological enhancement. Applying that to the cities we live in would bring efficiency to the lifestyle of the residents. Housing, transportation, proper waste management and work availability attract people to migrate to a new city. 

The Government of India selected Surat as one of 98 cities to participate in the Smart City Mission. The vision for Smart City Surat is to boost the development of physical infrastructure, social framework and technological advancement for its functioning. The main goal of Smart City Surat is to improve the quality of life by identifying growth prospects and using apt technology to make necessary improvements. 

Surat has a rich history. It was found by Gopi, who originally called it Suryapur. During the Mughal Empire, Surat was a trade hub. Those days, the city was brimming with people. The city became populous mainly during monsoons when the ships would berth. Since it was a trading hotspot, Surat was looted several times and left as a ruin. When the railways came into the picture, Surat became a busy trade city again. Post Independence, Surat was a part of Bombay State. During the reorganisation, it became a part of Gujarat. Since then, the industrial and commercial sector has seen colossal growth. 

Surat Smart City Objectives

The main objective of Smart City Surat is to focus on the growth of the city by keeping in mind inclusive and sustainable development. Even though urbanisation and industrialization are contributing towards the development of the country, turning a blind eye towards the environmental and human rights concerns weighs heavily on it. Localisation of the sustainable development goals is the fastest way towards improving the social infrastructure of the city. 

One of the main objectives of Smart City Surat is to use relevant technology to improve the existing infrastructure by retrofitting, establishing a green and clean city and ensuring minimal wastage of resources while doing so. 

Surat Smart City Projects

The Municipal Corporation of Surat has divided the projects into pan-city projects and area-based projects to achieve its objectives. The following are projects undertaken for the development of Smart City Surat divided as completed or work in progress. 

Completed Projects

Source: https://smartcities[dot]gov[dot]in

Work in Progress

Source: https://smartcities[dot]gov[dot]in

Don’t miss It!

Surat Smart City Map

source: suratmunicipal[dot]gov[dot]in

During olden times, Surat used to be a port for traders and merchants. Currently, Surat is one of the busiest industrial and commercial cities. It is on the banks of Tapi surrounded by Baruch, Navsari, Narmada and the Gulf of Cambay. The busiest roads passing through Surat are- The Kamaraj-Varachha corridor, Olpad-Rander corridor, Hazira-Adajan corridor, Sachin-Udhna corridor, Kadodara-Sahara corridor and Dumas Athwa corridor. 

Surati culture is vibrant. The city is best known for its Navratri, Diwali and Makar Sankranti celebrations. Even though urbanisation is rampant in Surat, the culture of the city is deeply rooted in its citizens. Surati people actively participate in the development of the metropolis. Surat is also known as ‘The Diamond City and the Textile City of India. 

How to Log In to Surat Smart City Portal?

There is no login option on the Smart City Surat website. The residents of Surat can visit https://mysurat[dot]in/ for grievance redressal, acts, rules, tenders, RTI, etc.

For Surat Smart City registration, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open https://mysurat[dot]in/

Step 2: Click on ‘Register’ or ‘Login’. To register enter your name, email address, gender, date of birth, and home address and set a password. 

Step 3: Upload your photo and select the areas of interest. Fill in the verification code and accept the terms and conditions to register.

To log in enter your email address or mobile number and password. 

Surat Smart City: Citizen Services

One of the steps towards modernization taken by the authorities in Surat for development is https://mysurat[dot]in/. The portal allows you to perform multitudes of activities. A few are mentioned below- 

• File an RTI 
• FIle your Property Tax and Professional Tax (RC and EC). You can also get a new tax invoice. 
• The website allows online booking of event halls and community halls. 
• E-library and e-magazine services are available on the website. 
• You can apply for Shop and Establishment Certificates Renewal, Birth Certificate and Death Certificate. 
• The My Surat website allows you to download several forms free of cost. You can use the website for filing a complaint or giving feedback regarding any government service. 
• Other services include a Water metre, 24×7 water supply, society civic facility, services through SMS and Contractor ledger Information. 

FAQ’s about Smart City Surat