Gandhinagar, February 21: Gujarat's Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the Assembly on Thursday, unveiling a budget outlay of ₹3.70 lakh crore with eight major announcements for Vadodara. Among the key projects, the government proposed the establishment of mega food parks at five locations, including Kutch, Ahmedabad, Junagadh, as well as Vadodara and Halol. Additionally, six development centers, including the Surat Economic Zone, will be developed under the regional economic plans being prepared for Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, the coastal region, and Kutch.
The budget also includes the development of Vadodara Airport as a greenfield airport, along with Surat, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and Dahod. The expansion of Vadodara Airport has been prioritized, with ₹210 crore allocated for the expansion projects of these airports. To support working women residing away from their hometowns, the government announced the construction of working women hostels in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, and Gandhinagar. A new hostel will also be constructed for postgraduate students at Vadodara Medical College.
In healthcare, ₹40 crore has been allocated for establishing gynecology, pediatrics, and associated neonatal ICUs, as well as maternity and women's ICUs in Vadodara, alongside Surat. The budget speech also highlighted that Medicity-like facilities, similar to Ahmedabad, will soon be developed in Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot, bringing advanced medical infrastructure to these cities.
These initiatives are aimed at bolstering Vadodara's infrastructure, enhancing healthcare facilities, and providing supportive housing for women professionals, contributing to the overall growth and development of the region.
