The master plan to develop Surat Economic Zone as a growth hub by 2047 has been released today. It proposes to make the beautiful economic zone a destination for business-based leisure tourism. A major suggestion of the plan is to build a Disneyland theme park in Surat. If built, it will be South Asia’s first Disneyland.
As per the plan, Surat will be made a business-based tourism hub, with 3-4 day cruises and tourist activities within a 2-hour radius with docking points.
Two circuits have been suggested: Circuit 1 covers Surat, Diu, Somnath, Porbandar, Dwarka, and Mandvi; Circuit 2 is to go from Surat to Daman, Mumbai, and Goa.
The plan suggests building two beach hotels for the spending tourists, along with 15-20 additional hotels and resorts for different classes of visitors. The master plan also suggests beachfront development at Suvali, Ubharat, and Tithal beaches along with nature-based tourism programmes.
On the other hand, to make Dang an eco- and rural tourism hub, the plan also suggests wildlife and forest tourism along with other facilities at Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Vansda National Park, and Navsari.
Promoting eco-campsites along with existing hiking and trekking trails will also boost adventure tourism. Homestays, which give an experience of the tribal lifestyle in villages like Dandi, Don, and Thutti, can develop rural tourism.
Don Hill Station is also to be developed, which will have adventure sports, wellness resorts, eco-lodges, cultural markets, and more.
The plan suggests places for experiential tourism like the Parsi (Zoroastrianism) circuit. This heritage walk and tour will focus on Parsi culture, places, food, crafts, and philosophy. There will be three circuits: one from Surat to Mumbai, another in Surat, and the third in Navsari.
It has also been suggested that traditional cultural events, arts and festivals of the south-east, such as Dang Darbar and Warli art, should be promoted. Indigenous bamboo from Dang should also be promoted, which will run for a week on National Bamboo Day (September 18).
Speaking about the master plan, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said, “54 projects and 4 development zones have been proposed in this master plan.” The plan mentions 31 projects in different sectors, which will require an investment of 32 to 35 billion dollars.
The Niti Aayog CEO also said that he has suggested forming a committee under the Chief Minister to oversee these projects, as well as an additional official-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary to take it forward. Apart from this, the Surat Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) will cover these six districts.