More village panchayats to merge with SMC.

Surat Apr 12 (UNI) The state government has plans to merge 26 village panchayats around Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) with the SMC, sources said here today.

The move which will be a boost to the development of Surat may be officially declared on May 1, which is Gujarat Foundation Day.

Though the merger will solve the issue of land for the development of the city, it could also cause certain problems, a senior corporation official said here today.

''If more areas come under SMC, present public transport system can not be continued. The system should be improved and for that a public-private participation will be needed'', the official said.

Resident Deputy Collector M P Parmar, however, said that the district authorities had not got any information in this regard.

''If there is any such move that would be finalised between Pancahayats and Corporation. Then only they may recommend the issue to the state government'', said Mr Parmar.

UNI MS KU SKB1932