Prachin Surat Group urges government to restore heritage identity of old Surat

Surat | Gujarat — The ‘Prachin Surat Group’ led by research fellow of Sardar Vallabhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) Dr. Pankaj Gandhi has represented to deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi about the urgent need to restore the heritage identity of walled city areas of Surat by increasing the Floor Space Index (FSI), like it is done in South Mumbai. 

According to Dr. Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while launching the Rs 1200 crore worth redevelopment project of Sabarmati Ashram under the identity and heritage of Ahmedabad city, ‘Ashram Bhoomi Vandana’ project stated that a nation that is not able to preserve its heritage also loses its future. 

“The original Surtis are migrating from the historic streets and neighbourhoods in the heritage walled city in huge numbers and settling in other areas of the city” said Dr.Gandhi. “The reason for this is illegal encroachments,unhygienic  conditions and extreme traffic jams during peak hours and the lack of necessary parking arrangements in the entire walled city areas. “

The problem is getting worse. To preserve the colorful social culture of the original Surat neighborhood, Surat Municipal Corporation had announced in the budget,in the past, to create a cultural hub in Surat, but it is sad to say that there are no visible results on the ground. 

If it is actually implemented, then the pedestrians and the people of Surat will not face daily harassment. Along with the development of the city, a solid plan should be made to preserve the original culture to preserve the historic identity along with the development of the city. There is a need to pay enough attention to ensure that the historical identity of the city is not destroyed. 

“Surat should be declared a heritage city like Ahmedabad. Efforts should be made by the government through the Archaeology Department to collect the details of historical buildings and places and maintain them” said Dr.Gandhi.

Parking should be made mandatory in every apartment, sidewalks should be opened for walking, rows, mats, street vending zones should be set up for hawkers, street lights should be installed in such a way that the names of the streets and neighborhoods that are characteristic of Surat can be read, and all roads should be made of RCC. The Old City has become container free, but the garbage that accumulates there makes Surat dirty, the representation stated.