Future projects on water resources for a sustainable urban development: A case study of Surat city of India

Abstract

The urban population in India has increased significantly from 62 million in 1951 to 285 million in 2001 and is estimated to grow around 540 million by the year of 2021. It would be touching 37% of the total population in next 15 years. The Indian urban population growth is nearly 41% in last decade. This directly means providing additional drinking water for around 65 million households as well as deciding on the number of administrative complexes. The city of Surat is a fast growing city and it is the 9th largest city of India as per Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The present population of Surat city is approximately 45 lacks including the floating population. The dream of achieving sustainable habitat could be possible only through a multi dimensional and inter disciplinary approach. Exploitation of natural resources along with the development of urban areas with or without the knowledge of planners is a matter of great concern in the context of sustainable development. Out of various natural resources that are exploited, the tapping of water resources and its impact -on the habitat is studied in the paper. The study was conducted in and around Surat city of the Gujarat state. The futuristic projects by local government Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the sustainable development of Surat is also included in accordance with what has been envisioned in the revised city development plan. The present paper focuses on planning principles and is a classic example for sustainable development in water resources planning. © 2011 WIT Press.