Prabhas Patan: The first of the 12 Jyotirlings of Mahadev, the Somnath Mandir, will be developed into a corridor similar to Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Mahakal in Ujjain. After removing encroachments around the Prabhas Patan Shri Somnath pilgrimage site, the Gujarat government’s Urban Development Department has established the Somnath Urban Area Development Authority (SUDA).

The newly formed SUDA will implement tourism-based town planning by integrating Veraval-Patan Municipality and 12 surrounding villages. This marks a significant step toward positioning Somnath as a central hub within three major tourism circuits: Sasan Gir, Una-Diu, and Dwarka-Porbandar.

After reclaiming over 102 acres of government land around the temple, the state has taken concrete steps to realize its vision. Replacing the former Veraval-Patan Area Development Authority, the official notification establishing SUDA—under the chairmanship of the Collector of Gir Somnath district—was issued by the Urban Development Department on the evening of April 28. The authority will include seven members: a representative of the Secretary of the Tourism Department, the local District Development Officer (DDO), Regional Municipal Commissioner, Chief Town Planner or their representative, District Panchayat President, Municipal Engineer, and the Resident Additional Collector as Member Secretary.

Through SUDA, special town planning schemes will be prepared and implemented immediately for the Somnath-Veraval-Patan area, covering temple precincts, coastal spots, the lion safari in Sasan, forest tourism, and destinations like Diu, Dwarka, and Porbandar. These plans will focus on creating facilities for pilgrim accommodation, recreation, and seamless travel between tourist spots.

A senior official from the Urban Development Department said that tourist inflow to Somnath, both domestic and international, is increasing. With the addition of beach sports activities, the need for further development has intensified, leading to the dissolution of the old authority and the formation of this new one. DeshGujarat