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

In major urban centres, from financial capitals to political power hubs, glittering skylines often stand in stark contrast to sprawling slums. Administrations across the country have long sought to bridge this divide. Now, India’s famed “Diamond City” is poised to script history by becoming the country’s first slum-free urban zone.

Surat in Gujarat, known for its cleanliness record and rapid economic growth, is reportedly on the verge of eliminating slums entirely. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has implemented the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and state housing policies with unusual efficiency, turning a majority of informal settlements into permanent housing blocks.

Officials said that the overarching goal was that every resident

should have a durable roof over their head so that no family is forced to live in a slum. To achieve this, the corporation has undertaken large-scale in-situ redevelopment, replacing slum clusters with modern multi-storey apartment complexes. Alongside rehabilitation, thousands of affordable flats are being constructed for lower and middle-income households. These new housing colonies are equipped with essential civic amenities including proper drainage, piped water supply, street lighting and paved internal roads.

The city’s industrial profile, which attracts a steady influx of migrant workers, has long made housing management a complex challenge. Yet, municipal data suggests that over the past few years, lakhs of residents have already been shifted into permanent homes. According to a report in the Ahmedabad Mirror, Surat’s progress is being seen as a potential model not only for Gujarat but for major cities across the country.

If the target is achieved, the development is expected to significantly boost India’s image in the sphere of urban transformation on the global stage.