Time to Revive Surat–Netherlands Heritage Ties for a Long-Term Flood Management Solution: Dr. Pankaj Gandhi

SURAT : Despite spending hundreds of crores of rupees every year on flood mitigation measures, constituting new committees, and preparing multiple reports, Surat continues to face severe urban flooding during every monsoon. Even a few hours of intense rainfall result in waterlogging across several parts of the city, disrupting daily life, damaging businesses, and causing significant economic losses.

Commenting on the recurring crisis, Dr. Pankaj Gandhi said that Surat must now move beyond conventional approaches and leverage international expertise to develop a sustainable flood management strategy. He emphasized that Surat shares a centuries-old historical relationship with the Netherlands (Holland). The Dutch established one of their earliest trading settlements in Surat, and several heritage structures still stand as reminders of this historic association. At the same time, the Netherlands is globally recognized as a pioneer in flood control, coastal protection, urban water management, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

According to Dr. Gandhi, this unique historical connection presents an excellent opportunity to revive technical collaboration between Surat and the Netherlands. During his Ph.D. research, he had the opportunity to stay in the Netherlands and interact with Dutch researchers and professionals. Based on his experience, he observed that many Dutch people still have a strong emotional and historical connection with Surat and would welcome opportunities for academic and technical cooperation.

“The Netherlands has transformed itself into one of the safest low-lying countries in the world through innovative water management practices. Programs such as ‘Room for the River,’ integrated urban drainage systems, advanced pumping stations, tidal barriers, digital flood modelling, smart sensors, and climate-adaptive city planning have become global benchmarks. Surat, with its unique geographical location near the Arabian Sea and the Tapi River, can greatly benefit from such expertise,” Dr. Gandhi said.

He further noted that the challenges faced by Surat today require practical, project-based experience rather than routine committee discussions. Flood management in a rapidly expanding coastal city demands multidisciplinary expertise involving hydrology, hydraulic engineering, climate science, urban planning, GIS, digital twins, and disaster resilience.

Dr. Gandhi suggested that the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the Government of Gujarat, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dutch water management institutions, and leading universities should jointly establish a Surat–Netherlands Flood Management Collaboration Platform. Such a partnership could prepare a scientific long-term master plan for Surat based on international best practices.

He also recommended comprehensive studies on urban drainage, tidal influences, river hydraulics, climate change impacts, groundwater interactions, sea-level rise, and integrated watershed management before implementing major flood mitigation projects. These studies should utilize advanced technologies such as LiDAR, Digital Twin modelling, Artificial Intelligence, IoT-based monitoring, and hydrodynamic simulations.

Dr. Gandhi emphasized that Surat is not merely one of Gujarat’s largest cities but one of India’s fastest-growing economic hubs, making it essential to adopt solutions designed for the next 50 to 100 years rather than relying on short-term measures.

“Reviving the historical relationship between Surat and the Netherlands is not merely about preserving heritage; it is about building a future-ready partnership. The Dutch possess centuries of experience in living with water, while Surat possesses immense economic potential and a strategic coastal location. By combining these strengths, Surat can emerge as a global model for sustainable urban flood management,” Dr. Gandhi concluded.

(Author Dr. Pankaj J. Gandhi is a Consulting Engineer, Govt. Approved Valuer, & Urban Planner)