Arun Kumar

UP4000-1

Bharuch is probably the oldest port town in the country, its origin dates back to the era of Bhrigu rishi who was said to have stayed here and named it ‘Bhrigukachcha’. It is located at the creek of river Narmada near the Gulf of Khambat and was also recognised by the Greek, Persian and Roman empires as an important trade centre. But, somehow the town never grew to an extent to which Ahmedabad, Vadodara or Surat grew post-independence. It transformed from a port city to an industrial city after the introduction of GIDC estate north of the city. Since then the city is growing with the help of an industrial economy. Ankleshwar on the other end of the Narmada river used to be a small temple town which grew to become the largest industrial estate in India due to the availability of petroleum in the region. Ankleshwar has grown tremendously in past 10 years. Both the cities have a similar population and are growing at the same rate, therefore, Bharuch-Ankleshwar Development Authority (BAUDA) was formed to prepare a development plan for the area. Gujarat Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Special Investment Region (GPCPSIR) in Dahej with an area of more than 400 sq.km for the development of chemical and petroleum industries are adjacent to the BAUDA region and will affect the growth and development of Bharuch and Ankleshwar. Both the cities also fall on the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and the National High-Speed Rail Corridor, which will further govern the development. This development plan aims to regulate the growth and make the area greener, livable and compact with an aim to meet the sustainable development goals.