Surat, May 16, 2025 — Taking a pioneering step in the field of technology-driven public health, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is set to become the first city in India to implement a health survey system using QR codes. Starting in June, a pilot project will be rolled out across nine zones of the city, covering a total of 1,350 households, with approximately 150 homes selected from each zone.

As per media report, this innovative initiative, proposed in the municipal budget by Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal, aims to streamline health monitoring and disease prevention through digital tools. Under the plan, a unique QR code sticker will be affixed to each home, containing detailed health-related data for every family member residing there.

When scanned by health workers, the QR code will provide real-time access to information about fever cases, potential outbreaks, mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, and nearby mosquito breeding sites. The system is designed to facilitate immediate data collection, digital mapping, and predictive analysis using artificial intelligence to identify possible disease hotspots.

This data will feed into a centralized digital dashboard, enabling the health department to respond swiftly. The information will be directly linked to the city’s Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), ensuring rapid coordination and response.

The QR code system will also benefit other municipal departments. When scanned by staff from the property tax, water, or drainage departments, the code will reveal relevant data such as outstanding tax dues, water meter readings, and drainage details. Residents, too, will be able to scan the code with their smartphones to access all municipal services and information related to their home.

Officials confirmed that the project would be launched before the onset of the monsoon to preemptively tackle seasonal epidemics and mosquito-borne illnesses. According to VBDS (Vector Borne Disease Control) officer Jaysukh Vaghdia, future plans include expanding the system to track vaccination status, the number of children under five, and proximity to local amenities such as health centers, community halls, swimming pools, party plots, and parking zones.

This initiative is expected to position Surat as a leader not only in public health surveillance but also in digital governance. The integrated QR code system promises to enhance coordination among departments, deliver faster and more transparent services, and serve as a model for municipalities across the country.

Surat, May 12 — In a progressive step toward strengthening educational support for underprivileged and middle-class students, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has extended its free education and uniform scheme—previously limited to students up to Class 9—through Class 12. As per agency report, this expansion will now provide students of Classes 10, 11, and 12 with two regular uniforms, one sports uniform, shoes, and socks at no cost.

The SMC’s Primary Education Committee is already the only municipal body in the country offering education up to Class 12 entirely through its own resources. This unique initiative, implemented through the "Suman Schools," has enabled thousands of students to achieve academic excellence in board examinations.

According to Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel, the committee currently provides multi-language education up to Class 9. With the latest expansion, an additional 16,000 students from higher secondary classes will receive the full uniform set. The estimated cost of this new initiative is expected to exceed Rs. 8 crore, which will be fully funded by the SMC without any financial assistance from the state government.

So far, the corporation has already spent over Rs. 35 crore on the uniform scheme alone. This continued investment underscores SMC’s strong commitment to education and equitable access for all students, regardless of socio-economic background.

The initiative is seen not only as a boost to educational accessibility but also as a significant contribution to fostering students’ dignity, confidence, and social inclusion. The program has been widely praised and is expected to serve as a model for other municipal corporations across India to emulate.