Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the ‘Mukhyamantri Green Ring Road Vikas Yojana,’ a flagship initiative intended to build climate-resilient and sustainable road networks across the state’s municipal corporations.
The state has allocated a budget of ₹200 crore for urban local bodies to develop these green ring roads, according to a government release. By strategically diverting vehicular traffic away from dense city cores, the scheme is designed to alleviate rising congestion while significantly improving overall urban mobility.
Focus on circular economy and clean technology:
The SOP, drafted following recommendations from an expert advisory committee chaired by the Principal Secretary, places a strong emphasis on integrating environmental sustainability into the core of road construction.
“This is a significant step towards developing future-ready road infrastructure that is not only robust and low-maintenance but also minimizes its ecological footprint,” according to a senior spokesperson from the Urban Development Department, Gujarat. “The SOP’s mandate is clear: at least 25 percent of all road construction materials must be sourced from recycled content, which promotes a circular economy and reduces our reliance on fresh resources.”
Environmental and design provisions:
Beyond material mandates, the new protocol encourages municipal corporations to prioritize the use of renewable energy for the construction and operation of these projects, aligning them with broader state environmental goals.
Key design provisions outlined in the SOP include specific requirements for carriageways, medians, integrated drainage and rainwater systems, utility corridors, tree plantation, traffic management, and stringent road safety standards.
Implementation of the complex project will follow strict government guidelines, with all detailed project reports (DPRs) subject to thorough technical and environmental reviews at every stage. The initiative has been positioned by Chief Minister Patel as a key effort under the state’s ‘Urban Development Year 2025’ vision.
