Gandhinagar: In a move to accelerate urban infrastructure, the Gujarat government announced on Tuesday that land for eleven types of essential civic facilities will now be allocated to municipalities free of charge. Previously, local bodies were required to pay between 25% and 50% of the market jantri rates for such acquisitions. By waiving these significant costs, the government aims to drastically reduce the financial burden on 152 municipalities, ensuring that budget constraints no longer stall critical public works.This policy shift covers a wide array of service-oriented projects, ranging from vital sanitation infrastructure like sewage treatment plants and solid waste management to community assets such as fire stations, anganwadis, and town halls. With the elimination of land costs, essential projects including water supply works and drainage pumping stations are expected to gain rapid momentum. This strategic decision empowers local governance, paving the way for more resilient and well-equipped urban centres across the state.
