The Ministry of Urban Development lauded Gujarat on Wednesday when it showcased two key projects from the state as one of the best models to be followed. The praise for the state came during a presentation on Land Economics at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors International Conference 2013 in Delhi. The meet was attended by delegates from the United Kingdom.

At the meet, which was also attended by minister Kamal Nath, Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna highlighted the best of use of land by two Gujarat projects, Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project and the Surat City Ring Road Project. He also mentioned a Hyderabad project and Bhopal lake project as other two examples of better land use.

"Not one bit of land has to be acquired and commercial land use is made available to parties. Land can pay for itself," said Krishna while taking about Surat City project. He said the Sabarmati project has helped promote the local market.

A month ago, the ministry had advised states to follow the Surat model. Though the project is yet to start, the model has impressed the ministry officials so much that they have asked the states to identify ways to replicate the model for overall development of cities.

The project aims to encourage highrise buildings, toll plazas, commercial spaces along the proposed road, thereby filling the state coffer. The state has also been praised for the best utilisation of Centre's flagship urban scheme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

At the meet, minister Kamal Nath said India's land economics was based on historical errors and there was no scientific approach to it. "India has one of the lowest floor area ratios. Delhi is surrounded by states and cannot expand. Share of the formal land market is declining and informal one catering to EWS category, lower middle class is on the rise. Towns are becoming hub of economic activities and one of the biggest challenge is infrastructure. It is imperative we plan our cities with futuristic vision," he said.

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