In a major infrastructure policy shift, the Gujarat Cabinet has decided that all internal roads in Municipal Corporations and Municipalities will henceforth be constructed using cement concrete (CC) instead of asphalt. The move aims to reduce recurring monsoon-related road damage and improve the durability of urban road infrastructure.
Government spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said CC roads are better equipped to withstand heavy rainfall and waterlogging, which often leave asphalt roads damaged and disrupt traffic during the monsoon.
The government also plans to gradually replace asphalt roads with CC roads in flood-prone village settlements. Construction of CC roads is already underway in rural areas under the Suvidhapath Yojana, and their use will be expanded in industrial zones that experience heavy and extra-heavy vehicular traffic.
Although CC roads cost around 30–40 per cent more than asphalt roads, Vaghani said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has prioritised long-term public benefit over higher initial construction costs.
Power Restored in Rain-Hit Villages
The Cabinet also reviewed the Energy Department’s response to the recent heavy rains. More than 900 teams, comprising over 3,400 electricity personnel, repaired 2,575 feeders, 1,464 power poles and nearly 5,000 transformers damaged during the rains. Electricity supply was restored within hours in all 1,197 villages affected by outages.
Statewide Shram Dan on August 2
To strengthen the statewide cleanliness drive, the Cabinet announced that public representatives, government officials, voluntary organisations and citizens will participate in at least one hour of Shram Dan (voluntary service) on the first Sunday of August. The initiative supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat mission.
The Cabinet also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in rain- and flood-related incidents across Gujarat and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
Congratulating Indian athletes for their strong performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Cabinet noted that India had won 10 medals so far—two gold, five silver and three bronze—and extended its best wishes to the athletes and their coaches for the remainder of the competition.