On December 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), declaring it the “world’s largest office building” covering a whopping 67 lakh square feet. The SDB aims to become a global hub for the diamond and jewelry trade, accommodating both raw and refined diamonds.
During the inauguration, PM Modi expressed pride in adding another gem to Surat’s glory, emphasizing the building’s significance as a symbol of India’s newfound strength and determination. The SDB, located in Khajod village near Surat, surpasses the size of the Pentagon, spanning nine 15-storey towers with around 4,700 offices.
The megastructure, part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City project, comes at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore and was completed in July after eight years of construction. PM Modi anticipates the project will generate 150,000 jobs, an impressive addition to the 800,000 already employed in Surat’s diamond industry.
In addition to the SDB, PM Modi unveiled the new terminal at Surat Airport, designed with a blend of heritage aesthetics and sustainability features. With a total cost of Rs 353 crore, the terminal aims to facilitate seamless trade and travel.
Critics, including Nationalist Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar, expressed concerns about the project’s impact on local employment, claiming that the diamond trade shift from Mumbai to Surat might result in job losses for the local population.
Despite the criticism, the Surat Diamond Bourse is set to house state-of-the-art facilities such as a ‘Customs Clearance House’ for import-export, a retail jewelry mall, and International Banking and Safe Vaults. The project marks a significant milestone in India’s diamond industry and economic development.
