India's 'Diamond Capital' Set To Become The Country's First Slum-Free City

Surat, famously referred to as the Diamond Capital in India due to its pre-eminence in cutting and polishing the diamonds of the globe, is set to become the first major city in India that will be the first without slums, according to the government officials. The active urban planning and housing programmes have drastically cut down slum populations by an estimated 38 per cent to about 5 per cent in the last 20 years. The government of Gujarat has a long-term goal of ensuring that slums do not exist in the state; instead, dignified households have been provided, and better living standards have been provided by the government to all occupants of this industrial and economic powerhouse of the state.

How Surat is Becoming India’s First Slum-Free City

• The slum population in Surat has reduced drastically by approximately 36 per cent in 2006 to 5 per cent today, with a significant improvement being trended towards no slumming.

• The Government of Gujarat is introducing gradual, performance-based, urban housing initiatives to eradicate slums in the city.

• Affordable Housing Programs such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and state housing programmes have delivered basic services to lakhs of permanent homes.

• Infrastructure, sanitation and water supply in the city have been improved to enhance living conditions in the old slums.

• Surat is a large economic centre with a high rate of migration, which makes its capacity to strike the right balance between growth and inclusive housing an important step to reaching this goal.

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Expected Question For Upcoming Exams

Surat’s slum-free initiative mainly integrates which of the following strategies?

A) Affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades

B) Diamond industry incentives only

C) Tourism development programs

D) Reduction of population

Answer: A) Affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades

Explanation: Housing schemes combined with sanitation, water, and electricity upgrades are key to slum elimination.

 Which indicator shows Surat is approaching a slum-free status?
A) Diamond exports increase.
B) Slum population percentage declines.
C) Rise in tourism.
D) Expansion of textile units
Answer: B) Slum population percentage decline
Explanation: The drop from 36% to 5% signals major progress toward a slum-free city.

Which of the following urban policies contributed to Surat’s slum-free target?
A) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
B) State housing schemes
C) Infrastructure upgrades
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Combined housing schemes and infrastructure improvements achieved the target.

What type of climate does Surat experience?

A) Tropical wet and dry (savanna)

B) Desert climate

C) Subtropical humid

D) Alpine

Answer: A) Tropical wet and dry (savanna)

Explanation: Surat has hot summers, heavy monsoon rains, and mild winters typical of tropical wet and dry climates.

Surat lies in which seismic zone of India?

A) Zone II (low risk)

B) Zone III (moderate risk)

C) Zone IV (high risk)

D) Zone V (very high risk)

Answer: B) Zone III (moderate risk)

Explanation: Surat is in a moderately active seismic zone, so urban planning considers earthquake-resistant structures.

Conclusion (Surat is Becoming India’s First Slum-Free City)

Surat has become the first slumless city in India, which is an indication of good urban planning, housing policies and good governance. Lower housing expenses, modernised infrastructure, and sustainable development have enhanced the living standards of the residents and have balanced the accelerated industrialisation. The city is a prototype of the nationwide urban development and social inclusion.