Gandhinagar | In the era of modern development, skyscrapers have their own special identity, so to celebrate it, International Skyscraper Day is celebrated every year on 3 September. India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is moving rapidly towards the construction of skyscrapers. It is noteworthy that due to its special skyscraper policy, Gujarat has also succeeded in earning a revenue of Rs 1000 crore from skyscraper projects in the last few years. Let us tell you that till the year 2017, a maximum height of 70 meters was permissible for buildings in Gujarat. Recognizing the need for urban expansion and the potential of vertical growth, the state government has taken progressive steps in this direction by amending the rules. After the implementation of the state government’s skyscraper policy, the construction of iconic structures more than 100 meters high has been encouraged in the state. The Skyscraper Policy, implemented on May 27, 2021, has paved the way for the development of skyscrapers in major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and Gandhinagar.
This policy of the state government allows the construction of high-rise buildings with a maximum Floor Space Index (FSI) of 5.4. Apart from the base FSI, premium FSI is available at 50% of the ready reckoner rate, which encourages developers to invest in vertical growth. Since these rules came into force, 30 skyscrapers have been approved in Ahmedabad, Surat, Gandhinagar and Vadodara. GIFT City, Gujarat’s Financial Tech City, has already completed the construction of two skyscrapers, and another 10 are under construction. Gujarat has achieved significant revenue generation through these projects in vertical development. Gujarat has received revenue of about ₹1000 crore through premium FSI from local bodies. Many such projects beautifying the urban landscape of the state are expected to be completed before Diwali this year. These buildings are not only setting new records in height, but also include advanced construction techniques like Mivan formwork, shear walls and skywalks at roof level. Additionally, provision for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure ensures that these developments are future-ready.
A Special Technical Committee (STC) has been set up at the state level, headed by Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, to assess the feasibility of high-rise building projects. This committee comprises experts from soil mechanical, structural engineering, and fire service to ensure that safety becomes the top priority in these skyscrapers. Many of these skyscrapers are also classified as green buildings, contributing to sustainability in urban development and reducing environmental impacts of new construction.
This change in Gujarat’s skyline is clearly visible on major roads like the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway in Ahmedabad, which is witnessing a boom in commercial space development. With higher FSI now available, the region is set to become a hub of skyscrapers, reflecting the state’s commitment to efficient land use and urban development sustainability. Today, when the world is celebrating International Skyscraper Day, Gujarat also stands out on this special day. New vertical developments taking place in the state are not only meeting the growing demand for residential and commercial spaces, but are also setting the stage to write a new chapter in architectural heritage.