Redefine News

Despite its fast-paced growth compared to other cities in India, it took around 25 years to have an operative airport in Surat. It will take a couple of years for it to become an international cricket venue

A city whose population has risen to 36 lakh in a decade & where per family annual income is about Rs 4.67 lakh, it’s a surprise that there is not a single skyscraper in the city.

But soon the city will see its first skyscraper. The project will be undertaken by a local group of builders at a premier site on way to Dumas just where the Gaurav Path ends in the city.

"We have put up our file requesting for permission to build our complex up to 100 metres on a 10,000 sq.metre plot," said Suken Shah, a partner of Swastik Construction. "We plan to come up with a commercial complex of 23 floors," he said.

Mr. Jivan Patel, the director of planning (DOP) SMC said that “Untill now the department of conservation and recreation (DCR) has given permission to buildings up to 40 metres of height that houses only 14 floors. But if anyone wants to build further up then he/she needs to get a special permission from the state government.”

With the concept of user friendly and intelligent building catching up in the city, this 23 storeyed skyscraper is to have access controlled parking system and elevators. It would be totally air conditioned and will have 100 per cent power back up system and latest security system.

"In China, 100 metre buildings take about 1 to 1.5 years to get complete; here we will need almost double the time as this is new for us," said Shah. "But if permitted by the government, it will pave way for the rest to venture further skywards," he added.

Nitin Patel, Gujarat minister of urban development and housing, told TOI, "We approve of the project depending on the size of the plot and other feasibility. We are working on developing a formula and fixing the charges accordingly. Once the discussions are over we will declare our policy soon."