Surat has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres, combining industrial strength with progressive governance and smart infrastructure. Shri M Nagarajan, IAS, Municipal Commissioner of Surat, Government of Gujarat, in an exclusive interview with Hemangini Kanth Rajput & Abhineet Kumar of Elets Technomedia, shares insights on the city’s rapid urban expansion, digital governance, sustainability goals, and its vision to become a global benchmark in urban development.
Question 1. Your administrative journey has been closely linked with Gujarat’s growth. How do you see Surat’s evolution today?
I belong to the 2009 batch of the IAS, and Gujarat has always been recognised as a high-growth state with strong business potential. Over the past 15 years, that vision has translated into reality through effective policy implementation.
Surat has played a critical role in this journey, not just as an industrial hub, but increasingly as a livable and cosmopolitan city. Over the last decade, especially after the Smart Cities Mission, the city has evolved to offer not only livelihood opportunities but also improved quality of life, open spaces, and a family-friendly environment.
Today, Surat contributes around 1.5% to India’s GDP, and its growth is expanding beyond textiles and diamonds into sectors like solar energy, lab-grown diamonds, and garments manufacturing. With projects like the bullet train, which will connect Surat to Mumbai within an hour, the next decade is expected to witness unprecedented growth.
Question 2 . With rapid urbanisation, what are the key priorities for Surat Municipal Corporation?
The primary focus is on building core infrastructure to support the rapidly growing population. Every month, nearly 25,000–30,000 people settle in Surat, which requires continuous expansion of water supply, drainage, and road networks.
We are accelerating town planning schemes and expanding jurisdiction areas to ensure planned development. Projects like the outer ring road and transit-oriented development are improving connectivity and enabling balanced urban expansion.
At the same time, we are maintaining high standards in cleanliness, waste management, and service delivery, which have consistently placed Surat among India’s cleanest cities.
Question 3. Surat is often cited as a model city. What key practices have driven this success?
The Smart Cities Mission was a major turning point. Surat demonstrated one of the fastest implementation rates, and these projects have significantly transformed how people live, move, and work.
Another indicator of growth is the municipal scale, our budget has increased from around ₹4,000 crore to ₹11,300 crore in just a few years, reflecting rapid urban expansion and economic activity.
Key practices include:
- Adoption of global best practices in urban planning
- Strong focus on technology-driven governance
- A culture of openness to innovation among both administration and citizens
Question 4. How is Surat leveraging digital technologies for governance and citizen services?
Surat has been at the forefront of digital urban governance. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) serves as a central system for managing city operations efficiently.
We are now exploring advanced technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence for predictive governance
- GIS-based planning systems
- LiDAR mapping for infrastructure data
- Climate-tech solutions for heat action plans and flood prediction
These technologies enable proactive decision-making and improve service delivery across sectors.
Question 5. Sustainability is becoming central to urban planning. What are Surat’s goals in this area?
Sustainability is a key priority. Surat Municipal Corporation is aiming to become net zero in municipal energy consumption by 2030, and we have already achieved around 60% renewable energy usage for our operations.
We are also working towards making Surat a carbon-neutral city, with initiatives in waste-to-energy, climate resilience, and efficient resource management.
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Question 6. What steps are being taken to promote innovation and start-ups in Surat?
We have introduced a startup and innovation policy to support startups working on urban solutions. Under this, startups can be given pilot projects of up to ₹15 lakh without tender to test their ideas. If the solutions are successful, they can be scaled further through defined procurement processes.
Surti i-Lab is already operational and provides co-working space and support to around 50 startups. Various engagement activities are conducted to support them.
Startups in Surat are working across different areas, including hardware technologies and AI-based solutions. There are also developments in sectors such as solar energy, battery storage, and electric mobility. Efforts are being made to bring together stakeholders such as industry, academia, and government to support innovation.
Question 7. What role will the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference play for Surat, and what should stakeholders take away from it?
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is intended to promote local-level engagement while aligning with broader global objectives. The conference to be held in Surat will see participation from international and national stakeholders, including industry representatives and delegations.
It will provide a platform to explore opportunities in sectors such as textiles, diamonds, solar energy, automobiles, and IT. It will also facilitate discussions, partnerships, and potential investments.
For Surat, it is an opportunity to present its industrial and urban development capabilities. Stakeholders can use this platform to understand the region’s potential and explore collaboration opportunities.