The Times of India            28.12.2013   

SMC likely to cross Rs 1500 crore mark in capital expenditure this year

SURAT: After setting a record of completing infrastructural works worth Rs 1251 crore in the financial year 2012-13 , Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) plans to cross that figure this year. After the review meetings of on going capital works in the city SMC is confident of crossing the mark of Rs 1500 crore even this year which would be highest in Gujarat , even leaving Ahmadabad behind.

With major prestigious projects like under water aquarium , Sanjeev Kumar auditorium , and first phase of BRTS on Udhna Darwaja to Unn likely to be flagged off and inaugurated by January, 2014 , this year will mark a new chapter in the history of civic body.

After the review meetings of ongoing work , City Municipal Commissioner Manoj Das said, " We are committed for rapid growth of infrastructure facilities in the city that are more and more user friendly. We are confident of achieving our targets despite election coming in the way."

The civic body that was able to show capital expenditure of merely Rs 500 crore some five years ago this is a huge quantum jump.

Before this financial year ends , SMC will also inaugurate at least five new bridges in the city that are almost complete . It is also likely to complete the water and drainage network works that it started in new city areas that came in city limits after 2007.