Rajkot: Hopes for a modern convention centre in Rajkot, the commercial hub of Saurashtra, have been revived as the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has approved the appointment of a consultant for the long-awaited project. The proposed facility will be modeled after Gandhinagar’s Mahatma Mandir.On Wednesday, the Standing Committee of the RMC approved the proposal for the appointment of a consultant. This facility has been a long-standing demand of the local industry bodies, including the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce, the engineering association, and others. Rajkot is India’s biggest centre for auto components, engineering goods, and imitation jewellery. “Rajkot drives the trade for neighbouring cities like Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi,” said Jaymin Thakkar, Chairman of the Standing Committee. “The new convention centre will help small industries showcase products, host business meetings, and conferences,” he said. The state govt allocated Rs 25 crore for the project’s initial phase. The centre will be developed in an area of 22,500 sq m in the Smart City area, with an estimated total cost of Rs 500 crore as per the 2022 estimate. At present, the Rajkot Engineering Association’s hall is mainly used for hosting major industrial events.Among other key decisions, the civic body also approved the purchase of 11 ambulances to strengthen emergency medical services. Of the 11, five will be air-conditioned to support patients needing transfers to larger cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai. “With the city’s growth, there’s a rising need for AC ambulances,” said Thakkar. “These vehicles will serve critical patients more comfortably during long-distance transfers.” Also, RMC has decided to set up a new fire station at Bajrang Wadi, in line with state govt directives to provide one fire station per two lakh population. Planning for the facility has already begun, ensuring better coverage for the expanding city. The committee also approved leasing the gaming zone under KKV Chowk Bridge on Kalawad Road to a private sports academy. The facility includes box cricket, snooker, table tennis, and badminton courts. While the committee assures nominal user charges, the proposal does not specify any pricing structure. Three dialysis centres approvedRMC to inaugurate three new dialysis centres across the city The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) will inaugurate three new dialysis centres on Thursday. The centres will be set up at urban health centres in Nana Mauva, Kothariya, and Shyam Nagar, each equipped with two dialysis machines in the initial phase. According to an official statement, the move aims to ease the burden on kidney patients and expand critical care infrastructure across Rajkot. “These centres are part of our budgetary promise to improve access to essential medical services,” the RMC said.
