Surat Diamond Exchange, world's largest office, to open today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse, the largest and most advanced centre for global diamond and jewellery businesses, today.

The exchange is expected to facilitate trade in both rough and polished diamonds, as well as jewellery, on a global scale.

Starting his day in Surat, PM Modi will first inaugurate the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport, designed to handle up to 1,200 domestic and 600 international passengers during peak hours. The terminal boasts a plan to increase its capacity to handle up to 3,000 passengers per hour and cater to an annual volume of 55 lakh passengers.

Designed to reflect local culture and heritage, the airport's terminal building incorporates elements inspired by the traditional woodwork of the 'Rander' region in Surat City, enhancing the passenger experience.

Additionally, the terminal follows sustainability norms, equipped with features like double-insulated roofing, energy-efficient canopies, double-glazing units to minimise heat gain, rainwater harvesting, water treatment, sewage treatment plants, and a solar power plant.

Following this, PM Modi will inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse, which is set to encompass facilities like a 'Customs Clearance House' for Import-Export, a jewellery mall for retail businesses, international banking services, and secure vaults.

Later in Varanasi, the Prime Minister will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, interacting with beneficiaries of various government schemes such as PM Awas, PM SWANidhi, and PM Ujjwala. His itinerary also includes the inauguration of the Swarved Mahamandir and participation in public functions to unveil and lay the foundation stone for various development projects in Varanasi.

The day in Varanasi will continue with the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat, symbolising the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Additionally, PM Modi will flag off the Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar raised concerns over the shift of the diamond trade from Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex to Surat, stating that this move has resulted in job losses for many individuals. Pawar highlighted the impact on local employment due to the transition and expressed worries over the NAINA project affecting farmers' employment resources.

"Those who are in power today do not have the power to think about the country. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the diamond business in Surat. Earlier, diamond trade used to take place in the Bandra Kurla Complex of Mumbai; now it has been shifted from here to Gujarat. Lakhs of people got employment due to this market. Due to the diamond trade going to Surat, the local people will lose their jobs. Due to this, along with farming, the employment resources of the farmers are also being snatched away," he said.