Surat: The world’s largest office building — Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) — is yet to become fully operational nearly five years after its bookings opened and two years after its inauguration. Despite many attempts to make it fully operational, most of those who bought offices are not interested in starting work from here.SDB was inaugurated on Dec 17, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, giving a push to the city’s efforts to become a global diamond hub.The SDB management faces the challenge of making 4,200 offices functional in the building, which has a carpet area of 67,28,604 sq feet — almost 55,000 sq ft larger than the Pentagon (66,73,624 sq ft). The 15-storey, 81-metre high nine towers sit on a 35.54-acre campus, with the built-up area of the campus being 68,17,050 sq ft.One of the ambitious projects that is part of DREAM City is SDB. The project, developed at the cost of Rs 3,200 crore, is expected to grow into a diamond trading hub like Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai. However, it currently has about 50 offices operational while efforts continue to convince traders to start their offices. DREAM City is being developed as a special purpose vehicle, and Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is executing the projects.“Meetings were held recently and traders have shown interest in starting offices. In Jan, we are hoping to see more offices become operational,” said Lalji Patel, vice-chairman of the SDB committee.President of the SDB committee, Arvind Shah, said, “Furniture work in many offices is ongoing, and once it is complete, the traders will move in.”In July, then minister of state for home, Harsh Sanghvi, held meetings with diamond traders from Mahidharpura and other places in the city. Around 200 top diamond traders have offices in Mahidharpura, while at least 2,000 other diamond traders and brokers also operate from here. They are being encouraged to shift to SDB.The major factor affecting SDB becoming fully operational is limited international connectivity and cargo facilities. Recently, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) made representations to the customs and airport authorities to provide infrastructure for precious cargo operations. “We have made representations, and the authorities are examining various possibilities,” said Jayanti Savaliya, regional chairman of GJEPC.“We are the only diamond manufacturer in SDB that exports directly from here. After completing the customs clearance process, our goods go directly to the airport in Mumbai and are sent abroad,” said former SDB chairman Vallabh Lakhani, who hopes SDB becomes fully functional soon.
