Bhupendra Patel outlines roadmap for ‘Viksit Gujarat, Viksit Bharat’

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the Regional Economic Master Plan for the six economic zones of Gujarat at the inaugural Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference held in Mehsana. A major milestone towards “Viksit Gujarat, Viksit Bharat”, the plan aims to boost regional development and expand the State’s economy through significant public and private investments.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Patel said the initiative “is a roadmap to achieve the goal of balanced regional development in all 33 districts and grow Gujarat’s economy from its current size of $280 billion (FY2023) to over $3.5 trillion.” The six regional plans cover North Gujarat, Kutch, Central Gujarat, Saurashtra, Coastal Saurashtra and Surat, each known for its economic potential and strategic importance.

Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present.

More than 500 projects have been identified under these plans, backed by investments exceeding ₹15 lakh crore (over US$200 billion). These projects are designed to strengthen the state’s industrial, service, tourism and rural ecosystems. The Prime Minister added: “Through regional economic development of Gujarat, the aim is to realize the vision of ‘Viksit Gujarat, Viksit Bharat’.”

A key component of the master plan is the creation of Regional Skills Centers and Centers of Excellence to equip young people with future-ready skills. These centers will focus on green skills, blue economy, logistics and artificial intelligence in collaboration with industries. The initiatives are expected to create approximately 28 million employment opportunities statewide.

The government’s approach emphasized the development of high-value, technology-focused sectors. In advanced production, areas such as electric vehicles, battery storage, marine chemicals, biofuels, industrial ceramics and biological products will be encouraged. In the services sector, Gujarat aims to increase the sector’s share in the state’s economy to 51 per cent by 2047 by promoting growth segments such as Global Talent Centres, logistics, product design and financial services.

The tourism sector will see the development of travel, heritage, eco, cruise and wellness tourism with medical value, while the blue economy will be propelled through innovations in port logistics, shipbuilding, fish processing and maritime along Gujarat’s 2,240 km coastline. The rural economy will focus on agro-processing, dairy and agricultural technology, supported by renewable energy, circular economy projects and green production.

Infrastructure development is another cornerstone of the master plan. Over the next 22 years, projects will include coastal railroads, interstate high-speed rail corridors, maritime link construction and airport expansions. The state government also plans to expand cargo terminals and cold chain infrastructure to improve logistics efficiency.

Chief Minister Patel highlighted the role of the Gujarat State Transformation Institute (GRIT), which opened in July 2025, describing it as “a think tank that drives region-specific economic growth using data-driven policy decisions and scientific methods.” GRIT will support policy development aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”.

As part of the first day of the vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, Prime Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel had a one-on-one meeting with Japanese Ambassador ONO Keiichi. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of semiconductor production, renewable energy, advanced technologies and human resources development. “Japan has been a partner of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit since its inception and its participation in this Regional Conference has further strengthened the bridge of bilateral relations,” the Prime Minister said. he said.

The Japanese Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the support given to Japanese industries in Gujarat. He highlighted Japan’s cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in launching training programs under the Gujarat Semiconductor Mission. “These programs will ensure availability of skilled workforce for Gujarat’s semiconductor sector,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that Japanese companies were “attracted to Gujarat by the semiconductor ecosystem” and affirmed the state’s commitment to facilitate industrial expansion by streamlining land allocation procedures. He also stated that “hospitals, schools, logistics infrastructure and energy projects in Dholera will be completed by June 2026” by improving facilities for industries in the region.

It was published – 10 October 2025 04:50 IST