Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Monday, 17 August handed over appointment letters to 526 women who secured employment through Project Asmita, a Bharuch Police initiative promoting women's financial independence, while also inaugurating and laying foundation stones for development projects worth ₹482 crore in and around Ankleshwar GIDC. Minister of State for Water Supply Ishwarsinh Patel was also present at the event.

Project Asmita: Police Beyond Policing

Project Asmita was conceived by the Bharuch Police to advance women's safety, dignity, and economic self-reliance — a notable departure from the conventional law-and-order mandate. Thirteen companies supported the recruitment drive, collectively absorbing more than 500 local women into their workforce. Women with general and higher educational qualifications are being offered starting salaries of more than ₹17,000 per month, with the stated aim of strengthening household incomes across the district.

Sanghavi described the initiative as emblematic of a broader shift in how state agencies are being deployed. 'Bharuch Police is not only ensuring security but also playing an important role in the economic and social upliftment of the people,' he said at the event.

₹482 Crore Infrastructure Push at Ankleshwar GIDC

The ₹482 crore package targets infrastructure and industrial facilities across Ankleshwar and neighbouring industrial estates. Key components include a newly developed Transport Nagar with parking capacity for more than 510 trucks, aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in the industrial corridor. A 3,000-square-metre warehouse and approximately 144 new industrial sheds have been established to support MSME units in the area.

A 40 million-litre-per-day water supply scheme has been completed at the Bulk Drug Park in Jambusar, while around 1,895 streetlights have been installed across industrial estates to improve security and visibility. This comes amid Gujarat's broader push to position its industrial clusters as globally competitive manufacturing hubs under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Recovered Property Returned Under 'Tera Tujhko Arpan'

The event also spotlighted the Bharuch Police's property recovery record. A theft case involving assets worth more than ₹3.16 crore at G.F.L. Company in the Dahej Police Station area was reportedly resolved within hours. Under the 'Tera Tujhko Arpan' programme, the recovered valuables were returned to the rightful owner via cheque, and the police received certificates recognising their work under the scheme.

Sanghavi also noted police action against illegal moneylenders and efforts to help citizens recover dues — further evidence, he argued, of an administration working across social and economic dimensions alongside its security role.

Bharuch as Gujarat's Industrial Heartland

Sanghavi described Bharuch as the 'heart of Gujarat', citing its connectivity through the high-speed rail project, the Dedicated Freight Corridor, and its proximity to major ports. He pointed to Gujarat's leadership in green hydrogen and renewable energy, and urged industrialists to leverage incentives under the state's new industrial and innovation policies for research, development, and patent registration.

Referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on manufacturing, Sanghavi stressed the need for industries to produce world-class, 'Zero Defect' products. 'The coming era belongs to India, and Gujarat's administration is working as a team to advance the state's growth and development,' he said. The district's role in India's manufacturing trajectory — particularly as the country pursues the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal — is expected to intensify as these projects come online.