Surat will soon have unique GPS (global positioning system) numbers for properties, roads and areas. Talks regarding this are already underway with the Rockfeller Foundation and Google Inc.

“Judith Rodin of the Rockefeller Foundation is keen on starting GPS services in Surat, and for that, talks are on with Google. All areas, properties and roads will have their own GPS numbers, which will help outsiders to navigate the city. This will also help relief workers during national calamities to reach the affected areas,” said Chetan Shah, the former president of South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Surat is among many other cities in the world where the Rockfeller Foundation has been working on climatic change and urban development.

Recently, Shah had been to Washington DC to take part in World Habitat Day celebrations on October 5. There, he had made presentations on urban development and growth before the dignitaries. The entire conference was organised by the Rockfeller Foundation, which had earlier chosen Surat to carry out work on climate change and urban development. Shah had also attended a conference at the New York City Office of Emergency Management.

Shah told mediapersons in Surat that the city will now be projected globally. He said that Miss Anna Tibaijuka, the Under Secretary General of United Nations has also shown interest in the diamond city and plans to visit it.

“During his eight-day tour, Shah also met Dr David Jhirad, the vice president of Rockefeller Foundation. Dr Jhirad had earlier served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Energy Policy in the Clinton Administration. He is the key person for renewable energy initiative between India and US, said Shah.

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