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• The pace of development in the city has gone down in 2010-'11. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) that spent Rs 800 crore on capital expenditure annually on an average in the last three years has till now spent just Rs 284 crore and this figure is not likely to touch Rs 700 crore by March next year, when the financial year ends.In this scenario the package of Rs 2,100 crore announced by chief minister Narendra Modi can serve as a catalyst to accelerate the development of infrastructure of the city.What we term as second generation of growth and development can get a kick from the money if realized in time. However till now only the announcement is made and no official government letter is received by the civic body. But, it is understood that the money would be given in a phased manner.
• Talking to TOI, municipal commissioner Manoj Das said, "It will certainly accelerate the city development process to a great deal. Once we know of the pattern of the fund flow we will announce and execute our plans."Apart from the basic infrastructure sectors like BRTS, bridges, CC Roads and others, the SMC has a lot of new projects in pipeline. Projects like the rubber barrage and other environment friendly projects are also waiting for funds.The ruling BJP in the SMC is interested in an amusement park project at Magob, complete major works of cable stayed bridge project and even want to begin work on the skyscraper in the coming financial year, apart from completing Rs 495 crore BRTS project of the city.The underground aquarium project will also be completed by April, 2011. A substantial chunk of money from the funds will be used for new bridges and CC road construction in new city areas where as planning of water network and sewerage networks in certain new areas of the city will also need attention.Civic body will have to quicken its pace of work if it really wants to make good use of funds that is likely to be at its disposal in few years.

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