Surat: Gujarat’s much-awaited PM MITRA Park, once projected as a transformational textile hub for the state, has come to a complete standstill. Despite the state government allocating 1,000 acres in Navsari’s Vansi-Borsi three years ago, work on the ground has not begun.
Industry insiders say political tussles and pressure from a powerful builder lobby have pushed the project into uncertainty. Meanwhile, neighbouring states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have moved far ahead, completing plot allotments and finalizing infrastructure plans, leaving Gujarat trailing despite being India’s largest textile base.
Announced as one of the seven national PM MITRA Parks, the Gujarat project was expected to lead India’s textile growth story. Instead, it has remained limited to files and internal discussions. There are no roads, no demarcation, no plot allotments, and not even preliminary groundwork at the site. The only movement since 2022 has been the issuing of a tender for a 98-km water pipeline from Kakrapar to Vansi-Borsi — a proposal that also remains stuck.
In contrast, Madhya Pradesh has already completed plot approvals through MPIDC and is ready for final allotments. Maharashtra has issued applications for industrial units and begun distributing land to investors. This widening gap has triggered anxiety in Surat’s textile industry, which is already investing heavily in modern machinery but feels unsupported by the state during a crucial growth phase.
“If PM MITRA Park had started by now, it would have opened new doors for the textile sector,” said a mill owner from Pandesara. “Instead, people are being forced to buy expensive plots in private parks or shift to Maharashtra, where subsidies and approvals are faster.”
Several Surat-based industrialists have already moved units to Navapur, Maharashtra, citing smoother processes and better incentives. Industry sources allege the real barrier lies in the builder lobby, which is reportedly eyeing the land for future commercial gain rather than industrial development. They fear that cheap government land meant for textile infrastructure could later be sold at high rates, delaying genuine progress.
Industrial bodies have now raised their voice strongly.
Ashish Gujarati from the SGCCI Textile Task Force said, “This park is a major opportunity for Gujarat. It can generate over 15,000 jobs and bring an integrated value chain that saves transport time and boosts exports. We have submitted our concerns to the government twice. Work must begin immediately.”
With two major textile states racing ahead, industry leaders warn that Gujarat risks losing its competitive edge if the deadlock continues. The state that once aspired to lead India’s textile revolution now watches others take the lead, as the PM MITRA Park remains stuck on paper.
Investment Plans Across States
State Estimated Investment (₹ crore)
Madhya Pradesh 14,099
Gujarat 13,084
Uttar Pradesh 5,270
Telangana 3,862
Maharashtra 3,245
Karnataka 1,700
Tamil Nadu 1,231
