Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) building, the world’s largest office complex, in Surat, Gujarat, today on Sunday, December 17. The grand inauguration will include the newly-built SDB structure and the upgraded terminal building of Surat airport, marking a significant development for the diamond industry and economic landscape.
Preparations are in full swing in Surat ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. According to Dinesh Navadiya, the media convener for SDB, many diamond traders, including those previously based in Mumbai, have already taken possession of their offices allotted through auction. This move signifies a major shift in the diamond trading landscape, consolidating Surat’s position as a global hub for the diamond industry.
CEO of Surat Diamond Bourse, Mahesh Gadhavi, highlighted the monumental scale of the project, stating, “This is the largest office building in the world. This has more than 4,500 diamond trading offices.” He emphasized that the SDB building is future-proof, designed to meet the evolving needs of the diamond industry. The infrastructure includes state-of-the-art features such as fiber connectivity to every office, over 4,000 cameras, and advanced control rooms to ensure top-notch security.
Situated in Khajod village, near Surat city, the SDB building spans over 67 lakh square feet of floor area, surpassing even the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense Pentagon. Valued at approximately Rs 3000 crore, the mega structure within the DREAM City complex consists of nine towers with ground plus 15 floors, offering a variety of office spaces ranging from 300 sq ft to 1 lakh sq ft.
The inauguration ceremony is expected to draw a large gathering, with Prime Minister Modi addressing the attendees near the SDB building. The ambitious project is anticipated to generate around 1.5 lakh employment opportunities, further contributing to the economic growth of the region.
The Surat Diamond Bourse is poised to become a global epicenter for diamond trading, showcasing India’s prowess in the diamond industry and reinforcing the country’s position in the international market.
