Rajkot

{{Further|History of Rajkot}}{{See also|Rajkot State}}

File: Gandhi and Sheikh Mehtab.jpg

The name of the city of Rajkot (literally means the city of princes) was probably derived from Raju Sandhi, the co-founder of the erstwhile princely state of Rajkot district in 1620.

Rajkot has been under different rulers since it was founded. It has had a long history and had a significant influence in the Indian independence movement. Rajkot was home to many personalities like Mahatma Gandhi. Rajkot is in a transition period of growing cultural, industrial, and economical activities. Rajkot is the 26th largest city in India and the 22nd fastest-growing urban area in the world.

Rajkot was the capital of Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on 1 May 1960. Thakur Saheb Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Manoharsinhji Pradyumansinhji, has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. Monoharsinhji's son, Mandattasinh Jadeja has embarked on a business career.{{Cite news|last=Talukdar|first=Moinak Mitra & Tapash|title=The royal business class|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/starting-up/the-royal-business-class/articleshow/3473290.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-05-21}}

On 26 January 2001, the 7.7{{M|w}} Gujarat earthquake shook Western India with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), leaving 13,805–20,023 dead and about 166,800 injured. This earthquake mainly affected the Kutch region of western Gujarat.

File: Rajkot - Aji River Overview.jpg that flows through the city of Rajkot]]

Rajkot is located at {{coord|22.3|N|70.78|E|}}.[https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/09/Rajkot.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Rajkot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212233806/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/9/Rajkot.html |date=12 February 2008 }}. Retrieved 2007 It has an average elevation of 128 metres (420 ft). The city is located on the bank of Aji River and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 170.00 km².[http://www.mapsofindia.com/rajkot/geography/index.html Rajkot Geography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116170520/http://www.mapsofindia.com/rajkot/geography/index.html |date=16 November 2007 }}. Retrieved 3 January 2008

Rajkot is situated in the region called Saurashtra in the Gujarat state of India. The significance of Rajkot's location is that it is one of the prime industrial centres of Gujarat. Rajkot has a central location in the area called the Kathiawar peninsula. The city is located within the Rajkot district in Gujarat. Rajkot city is the administrative headquarters of the district of Rajkot. The district is surrounded by Botad in the east, and Surendranagar in the north, Junagadh and Amreli in the south, Morbi in the northwest and Jamnagar in the west and Porbandar in the southwest.

Rajkot has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh), with hot, dry summers from mid-March to mid-June and the wet monsoon season from mid-June to October, when the city receives {{convert|670|mm|in|0|disp=or}} of rain on average. However, this rainfall varies greatly from year to yearDewar, Robert E. and Wallis, James R; ‘Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach’; in Journal of Climate, 12; pp. 3457 – for instance less than {{convert|160|mm|in|1|disp=or}} fell in 1911 and 1939 but more than {{convert|1300|mm|in|0|disp=or}} in 1878 and over {{convert|1450|mm|in|0|disp=or}} in the incomplete year of 1959.See Kane, R.P.; ‘Extreme of the ENSO Phenomenon and Indian Summer

Monsoon Rainfall’; International Journal of Climatology, vol. 18 (1998), pp. 775-791 The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around {{convert|20|°C|disp=or}}, with low humidity.

One of the most important weather phenomena that is associated with the city of Rajkot is the cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between {{convert|24|and|42|°C|°F|1}}. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between {{convert|10|and|22|°C|°F|1}} but on a whole winters are pleasant.{{cite web |title=Rajkot, India |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=73724&refer=&units=metric |website=Weatherbase |access-date=3 September 2024}}

File:Cloudyweather.jpg

{{weather box|width = auto

| location = Rajkot Airport (1991–2020, extremes 1952–present)

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 36.4

| Feb record high C = 40.0

| Mar record high C = 43.9

| Apr record high C = 45.2

| May record high C = 47.9

| Jun record high C = 45.8

| Jul record high C = 40.6

| Aug record high C = 38.8

| Sep record high C = 42.8

| Oct record high C = 41.9

| Nov record high C = 39.8

| Dec record high C = 37.6

|year record high C = 47.9

| Jan high C = 28.6

| Feb high C = 31.4

| Mar high C = 36.0

| Apr high C = 39.6

| May high C = 41.0

| Jun high C = 38.1

| Jul high C = 33.0

| Aug high C = 31.7

| Sep high C = 33.4

| Oct high C = 36.0

| Nov high C = 33.6

| Dec high C = 30.3

|year high C = 34.4

|Jan mean C = 20.6

|Feb mean C = 23.4

|Mar mean C = 27.7

|Apr mean C = 31.2

|May mean C = 33.2

|Jun mean C = 31.9

|Jul mean C = 28.9

|Aug mean C = 28.0

|Sep mean C = 28.6

|Oct mean C = 29.3

|Nov mean C = 26.0

|Dec mean C = 22.3

| Jan low C = 12.7

| Feb low C = 15.3

| Mar low C = 19.5

| Apr low C = 23.0

| May low C = 25.7

| Jun low C = 26.6

| Jul low C = 25.4

| Aug low C = 24.5

| Sep low C = 23.9

| Oct low C = 22.6

| Nov low C = 18.6

| Dec low C = 14.3

|year low C = 21.1

| Jan record low C = -0.6

| Feb record low C = 1.1

| Mar record low C = 6.1

| Apr record low C = 10.0

| May record low C = 16.1

| Jun record low C = 20.0

| Jul record low C = 19.4

| Aug record low C = 20.1

| Sep record low C = 16.7

| Oct record low C = 12.2

| Nov record low C = 7.2

| Dec record low C = 2.8

|year record low C = -0.6

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 0.7

| Feb rain mm = 0.1

| Mar rain mm = 0.1

| Apr rain mm = 1.3

| May rain mm = 3.8

| Jun rain mm = 130.0

| Jul rain mm = 293.3

| Aug rain mm = 195.2

| Sep rain mm = 125.1

| Oct rain mm = 23.7

| Nov rain mm = 2.7

| Dec rain mm = 0.2

|year rain mm = 776.3

| Jan rain days = 0.1

| Feb rain days = 0.0

| Mar rain days = 0.0

| Apr rain days = 0.3

| May rain days = 0.3

| Jun rain days = 4.6

| Jul rain days = 10.3

| Aug rain days = 8.5

| Sep rain days = 5.4

| Oct rain days = 1.3

| Nov rain days = 0.2

| Dec rain days = 0.0

|year rain days = 31.0

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 29

| Feb humidity = 25

| Mar humidity = 19

| Apr humidity = 19

| May humidity = 28

| Jun humidity = 50

| Jul humidity = 71

| Aug humidity = 71

| Sep humidity = 60

| Oct humidity = 35

| Nov humidity = 30

| Dec humidity = 30

|year humidity = 39

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Rajkot (A) Climatological Table 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| pages = 651–652

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M60

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

{{cite web

|url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/rajkot2.htm

| title = Rajkot Climatological Table Period: 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = 10 April 2015

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414111548/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/rajkot2.htm

| archive-date = 14 April 2015

| url-status = live

| df = dmy-all

}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| archive-date = 1 January 2023

| title = Climatological Tables 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = 1 January 2023

| page = 21}}

|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)

{{cite web

| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42737

| title = Normals Data: Rajkot - India Latitude: 22.30°N Longitude: 70.78°E Height: 134 (m)

| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency

| access-date = 1 December 2022}}

}}Rajkot has been ranked 14th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' {{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}

{{Historical population

| source = {{Cite web |url=http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |title=Census of World|access-date=23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913144137/http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html|archive-date=13 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm |title=Historical Census of India|access-date=23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm |archive-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://citypopulation.de/India-Gujarat.html |title= Census of Rajkot |access-date= 23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323170222/http://citypopulation.de/India-Gujarat.html |archive-date=23 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}

| 1891 | 29200

| 1941 | 66400

| 1951 | 132100

| 1961 | 193500

| 1968 | 270800

| 1971 | 302000

| 1981 | 444200

| 1991 | 654500

| 2001 | 1003015

| 2011 | 1390640

| 2013 | 1560000

|align=center}}

As of the 2011 Census of India, Rajkot recorded a total population of 1,390,640. Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 82.20%, higher than the national average.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} The population is 52.43% male and 47.47% female. Most of the population is Hindu with a Muslim and Jain minority.

{{bar box

|title=Religions in Rajkot M Corp. (2011)

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|89.90}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|7.68}}

{{bar percent|Jainism|pink|1.90}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.20}}

|caption=Distribution of religions

}}

Hinduism was the main religion, practiced by 89.90% of the population. Islam was the second-largest religion (7.68%). Jains were 1.90%.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Population by Religion - Gujarat |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11373/download/14486/DDW24C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Rajkot M Corp. (2011)

|label1 = Gujarati |value1 = 94.60 |color1 = skyblue

|label2 = Hindi |value2 = 2.71 |color2 = orange

|label3 = Others |value3 = 2.69 |color3 = grey

}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 94.60% of the population spoke Gujarati and 2.71% Hindi as their first language.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue (Town level): Gujarat |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10250/download/13362/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2400.XLSX |website=Census of India |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians. The women of Rajkot are fond of jewellery. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewellery are a common sight during marriages, festivals and functions. The attire changes with the season and festivals.

Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this, people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.

Rajkot is frequently referred to as Rangilu Rajkot (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ), meaning "Colourful Rajkot". Rajkot is also called as "Chitranagri" (City of Paintings).{{Cite web|agency=TNN|date=Mar 5, 2017|title=Artists paint 17,000 square feet of flyover wall {{!}} Rajkot News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/artists-paint-17000-sq-ft-of-flyover-wall/articleshow/57470703.cms|access-date=2021-07-05|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

File:Swaminarayan Temple Rajkot (Gujarat-India).JPG

File:Jam Tower - Rajkot - Gujarat-DSC 0001.jpg

Rajkot has many historical landmarks and places. The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park in the centre of the city featuring many monuments from colonial times. Located prominently in the centre of the garden is the Connaught Hall. Other notable points of interest near the garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School (Now Mahatma Gandhi Museum), Kaba Gandhi No Delo (Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum, Rotary Dolls Museum, Lang Library, Rotary Midtown Library and Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

The Rotary Dolls Museum has a collection of more than 1,400 dolls from all over the world.[http://www.rotary3060dolls.org/rdmprofile.asp Rotary Dolls Museum, Rajkot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007144255/http://www.rotary3060dolls.org/rdmprofile.asp |date=7 October 2008 }}, 21 May 2008 This museum is being managed by Rotary Club of Rajkot Midtown along with Rajkot Nagrik Sahakari Bank. The Museum has earned a place in Limca Book of Records for its unique collection of dolls.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Doll-museum-makes-a-record/articleshow/1994195.cms|title=Doll museum makes a record {{!}} Ahmedabad News|date=3 May 2007|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=29 November 2019}}

The Trimandir, a non-sectarian temple founded by Dada Bhagwan, is located at a short distance from the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.trimandir.org/main-temple/trimandir-architecture/#.WJm_47l-hzY|title=Trimandir Architecture|access-date=7 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208033659/https://www.trimandir.org/main-temple/trimandir-architecture/#.WJm_47l-hzY|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live}}

Best LAW and Order city – 2013[http://www.newsbullet.in/india/34-more/40068-list-of-winners-at-abp-news-best-city-awards List of winners at ABP News Best City Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309190402/http://www.newsbullet.in/india/34-more/40068-list-of-winners-at-abp-news-best-city-awards |date=9 March 2013 }}. Newsbullet.in (6 March 2013). Retrieved 28 July 2013.

Best Housing & Transport City- 2015{{cite web |url=https://www.narendramodi.in/india%E2%80%99s-best-cities-awards-gujarat-bags-five-awards-5122 |title=India's best cities Awards: Gujarat bags five awards |date=February 23, 2013 |website=narendramodi.in}}

Safe City Award for Rajkot Eye-Way Project 2018{{Cite web|url=http://www.rmc.gov.in/rmcwebsite/awards.aspx|title=RMC :: Rajkot Municipal Corporation|website=rmc.gov.in}}

Best city for Women Safety- 2013{{Cite web|url=http://www.searchthereal.com/rajkot-wins-abp-news-award-2013/|title=Rajkot Wins ABP News Award – 2013. | Search The Real|date=29 March 2013 }}

Best City Cleanliness and Sanitation- 2013

National Winner of WWF's One Planet City Challenge 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/reducing_footprint/cce/?17681/Smart-City-of-Rajkot-declared-the-National-Winner-of-WWFs-One-Planet-City-Challenge-2018|title=Smart City of Rajkot declared the National Winner of WWF's One Planet City Challenge 2018 | WWF India|website=wwfindia.org}}

National Award For Implementation of Food Safety Act-2016

Rajkot is a major regional centre for the arts, with many venues for the performing arts in the city. Hemu Gadhavi Natyagraha.[http://sargamclub.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=55 Sargam Club – Hemu Gadhvi Natyagraha] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727235124/http://sargamclub.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=55 |date=27 July 2011 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008

Rajkot has its own native music genre, called day,[http://www.sanedo.com/2010/09/17/dayro-form-of-gujarati-folk-narrative-song/ Gujarati Dayro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606113218/http://www.sanedo.com/2010/09/17/dayro-form-of-gujarati-folk-narrative-song/ |date=6 June 2011 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008 which is used to convey folk stories and sayings.

File:SCA Stadium.jpg

Cricket is the most popular sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, the Duleep Trophy and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground.

The newly constructed 2nd International Cricket Stadium situated in Rajkot, Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, formerly known as Khandheri Cricket Stadium, is a cricket stadium in Khandheri, about 15 kilometers outside Rajkot, India. The Stadium has a capacity of 28,000 to 32,000 spectators. In this cricket stadium, Day/Night matches can now also be played. The stadium hosted its 1st International Cricket Match played on 11 January 2013 between India and England.

The stadium will part of a larger sports complex that will include venues for other sports such as badminton, basketball, and volleyball. It will host Saurashtra Cricket Association matches along with Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground.

Rajkot has produced cricketers such as Karsan Ghavri and Cheteshwar Pujara who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey, association football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, table-tennis, chess, swimming, and squash are rapidly growing popular in the city.{{Cite web|title=Sports Activities in Rajkot, Cricket in Rajkot, Rajkot Stadiums|url=https://www.rajkotonline.in/city-guide/sports-in-rajkot|access-date=2021-05-23|website=www.rajkotonline.in}} There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas, and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium, and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation are major sports clubs in the city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot. A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts. There are numerous swimming pools too. Rajkot Municipal Corporation also owns a 9-hole golf course at Ishwaria. It is maintained by Green Meadows Golf Club.[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/All-of-U14-Gujarat-Hockey-Team-made-up-of-Rajkot-players/265310/ Gujarat Hockey Team U14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209044757/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/All-of-U14-Gujarat-Hockey-Team-made-up-of-Rajkot-players/265310/ |date=9 February 2009 }}. Retrieved 28 January 2008

Garba is popular among both, men and women and is performed during the festival of Navratri. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' is organised for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali is one of the most important festival and is usually a week long holiday. Rajkot Municipal Corporation arranges the annual Fireworks Show for the citizens of Rajkot during the Diwali festival. The festival of Eid is also celebrated by the Muslim population.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

Holi is also celebrated with frolic and is widely enjoyed by most of the city folk. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=Karuna Abhiyan: Rajkot collector flags off 9 ambulances for birds injured by hitting kite strings |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/rajkot/karuna-abhiyan-rajkot-collector-flags-9-ambulances-birds-injured-kite-strings-8373863/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

File:Crystal_Mall_Rajkot_Road_View.jpg

The city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot was supported with a 280 million World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The plans are already in place to beautify and modernise the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 250 million project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion.{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}

Real estate has been a key contributor to Rajkot's development in terms of economic and infrastructure development. Since early 2014, several high-rises have been built in Rajkot.

File:High street - 150 ft Ring road Rajkot.jpg|High street

File:Kings Plaza - Rajkot.jpg|Kings plaza

File:Atlantis .jpg|Atlantis Flats

Products made in Rajkot include jewellery, silk embroidery and watch parts. Industrial products include bearings, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases and bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} The city is also home to several CNC machine and auto parts manufacturers.

There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road, Bhavanagar Road areas, Shapar, Veraval and Metoda. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. About 2% of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings and automobile castings.

Rajkot also houses Western Region Pipelines Headquarter of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) near Gauridad village. Also natural gas industries like GSPL and GSPC are also present. A petroleum depot of IOCL is also present.

In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone[http://www.reaindia.com/special.php REA SEZ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222211106/http://www.reaindia.com/special.php |date=22 December 2007 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008 which will be split into three areas and will include industries such as software and automobiles. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest automobile zone.{{Further|Captain Tractors}}

The city involves development of a Green Field Area covering approximately 930 acres of land with an estimated project cost of Rs 2100 cr. The project is envisaged to have world class, Smart physical infrastructure with utilities that are environment friendly, sustainable, functionally smart and technology driven.{{Cite web |title=Rajkot Smart City Masterplan Under Smart Cities Mission, Govt. of India – INI Design Studio |url=https://www.inidesignstudio.com/portfolio/rajkot-smart-city-masterplan-under-smart-cities-mission-govt-of-india/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-US}}

Rajkot is governed by many government bodies, including Jilla Seva Sadan (Rajkot District Collector Offices), Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rajkot Urban Development Authority.

{{s-start}}

{{succession box

| title = City Mayor

| years = Sep 2023–present

| before = Pradip Dav

| after = Naynaben Pedhadiya

}}

{{succession box

| title = City Municipal Commissioner

| years = April 2023–present

| before = Anand Patel

| after = Tushar D. Sumera

}}

{{succession box

| title = City Police Commissioner

| years = May 2022–present

| before = IPS Raju Bhargava

| after = Brajesh Kumar Jha

}}

{{s-end}}

The city civic body has started a 24x7 call centre, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/State-gets-its-first-civic-call-centre-facility/266160/ Civic Call centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113201126/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/State-gets-its-first-civic-call-centre-facility/266160/ |date=13 January 2012 }}. Retrieved 28 January 2008

The Rajkot City Police are responsible for law enforcement and public safety in Rajkot, India. They are a subdivision of the state police force of Gujarat and are headed by a commissioner. The Rajkot police force is responsible for the protection and safety of Rajkot citizens.{{Cite web|url=https://cprajkot.gujarat.gov.in/cprajkot/default.aspx|title=Rajkot City Police – Details|website=cprajkot.gujarat.gov.in|access-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322091032/https://www.cprajkot.gujarat.gov.in/cprajkot/default.aspx|archive-date=22 March 2019|url-status=live}}

Rajkot is connected to major Indian cities by air, railway and road.

File:Road network near Rajkot Gujarat India 2015.jpg

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs regular buses to and from Rajkot to other cities of Gujarat. More than 81000 people travel daily with GSRTC.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} Rajkot is very well connected with Gujarat State Highways and Rajkot is allocated the vehicle registration code GJ-3 by RTO. There are a number of private bus operators connecting city with other cities of Gujarat state and other states of India.

File:Rajkot railway station IMG 20200125 190055 01.jpg]]

Rajkot has two railway stations. Rajkot Junction railway station (station code: RJT) is the more widely used railway station for passenger trains, and has services to all the major cities of India. Its elevation is 128 m above sea level. The other, smaller, railway station is Bhaktinagar Railway Station (station code: BKNG), served only by trains from Somnath, Veraval, Junagadh and Porbandar.

Rajkot Municipal Corporation has restored city bus services with Public Private Partnership in 2007. RMC and a private company is providing around 80 CNG buses under 15 to 20 routes in city and suburbs.

Recently Rajkot BRTS was launched on 1 October 2012.Rajkot BRTS a new Bus rapid transit System (BRTS) with launching of the 10-km long Blue corridor and two AC buses which will be free for the first three months. The corridor is located in the west part of the city through the 150 ft ring road connecting Madhapar chokdi on the Jamangar road to Gondal chokdi on the Gondal road. The corridor will host 11 buses in further stage.

Rajkot BRTS RouteFile:Rajkot BRTS Bus and the Corridor.JPG

The fully completed project in future will have two more corridors – green and red from Arvind Maniyar Nagar to Saurashtra University and Greenland Chowk to Saurashtra University respectively involving 157 buses in three colours.

Rajkot thus becomes the second city in Gujarat to have BRTS after Ahmedabad. The city of Surat too is planning an ambitious BRTS project, construction of which is going on presently.[http://www.nrigujarati.co.in/Topic/423/1/rajkot-brts-launching-today-rajkot-brts-route.html Rajkot BRTS launching today – Rajkot BRTS Route] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006075233/http://www.nrigujarati.co.in/Topic/423/1/rajkot-brts-launching-today-rajkot-brts-route.html |date=6 October 2012 }}. Nrigujarati.co.in (22 July 2013). Retrieved 28 July 2013.

File:Rajkot airport apron.jpg

File:Rajkot airport.jpg]]

Rajkot International Airport{{cite web|url=http://www.airportsindia.org.in/allAirports/rajkot.jsp|title=Airports Authority of India|access-date=27 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510102701/http://www.airportsindia.org.in/allAirports/rajkot.jsp|archive-date=10 May 2015}} {{airport codes|HSR|VAHS}} is located at Hirasar, along National Highway 47 (NH-8B) connecting Ahmedabad and Rajkot, about {{cvt|36|km}} from the city.{{cite news|last=Sen|first=Anindita|title=Gujarat gets first Greenfield Airport! PM Modi inaugurates international airport near Rajkot|url=

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-gujarat-gets-first-greenfield-airport-pm-modi-inaugurates-international-airport-near-rajkot-3189281/|work=The Financial Express|date=27 July 2023|access-date=27 July 2023|language=en}} There are daily flights to Mumbai, Delhi, and Indore, and several weekly flights to Bengaluru, Goa, and Pune served by IndiGo and Air India.

The older Rajkot Airport {{airport codes|RAJ|VARK}} remains open for general aviation, including charter flights. All commercial operations were shifted to the Rajkot International Airport on 10 September 2023.{{cite news|title=Rajkot Airport shut: Commercial ops shift to new international airport today|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rajkot-international-airport-narendra-modi-rajkot-airport-commercial-operations-8932601/|work=The Indian Express|date=10 September 2023|access-date=10 September 2023|language=en}}

State-owned All India Radio has a local station and has FM channel 102.4 Vividh Bharati in Rajkot which transmits various programs of mass interest.

Rajkot Also has Private Local news Media [https://satyamanthan.in/ Satyamanthan Gujarati Newspaper સત્યમંથન અખબાર] and Digital website. Private FM stations like Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, Red FM 93.5, Big 92.7 FM and 94.3 MY FM also serve the people of Rajkot with excellent entertainment and events.

File:Christ_College_Building.jpg|Christ College building

File:PDMCC Campus front.jpg|PDM College of Commerce, one of the oldest colleges in the city

File:School of Engineering RKU.jpeg|RK University

Rajkot is famous for providing education to Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji), at the Alfred High School. A number of schools in the city are run by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. They include 20 schools and learning centres,[http://www.rmc.gov.in/rti/School%20Board_RTI_2007.pdf RMC School Board RTI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229133950/http://www.rmc.gov.in/rti/School%20Board_RTI_2007.pdf |date=29 February 2008 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008 which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centre, and 1 special school.[http://www.rmc.gov.in/rti/highschool/1.pdf RMC Highschools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229133951/http://www.rmc.gov.in/rti/highschool/1.pdf |date=29 February 2008 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008 Rajkot is home to Rajkumar College, Rajkot, also known as RKC. RKC is the oldest of the Chiefs' schools of India similar to Mayo College at Ajmer and Daly College at Indore.

Rajkot also has the Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. It was started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is a CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.{{cite web|url=https://navodaya.gov.in|title=NVS|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726233721/http://www.navodaya.nic.in/|archive-date=26 July 2015|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.jnvmudgal.gov.in/Application/ApplnEng.pdf |title=Application form for Navodaya |access-date=12 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721160001/http://www.jnvmudgal.gov.in/Application/ApplnEng.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=live }}

The city is home to Saurashtra University, several colleges, and other institutions of higher education, both public and private. Rajkot has three private universities, RK University (RKU),{{cite web|url=http://www.rku.ac.in|title=RK University – First step to success|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805043317/http://rku.ac.in/|archive-date=5 August 2015|url-status=live}} Atmiya University and Marwadi University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marwadiuniversity.ac.in/|title=MU{{!}} Believing in 360-degree education. {{!}}Best College in Rajkot{{!}}No-1 Rank in Gujarat|website=www.marwadiuniversity.ac.in|access-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316204252/https://www.marwadiuniversity.ac.in/|archive-date=16 March 2017|url-status=live}} The city has 12 engineering colleges. It has a Performing Arts College (Vocal, Classical dance, Tabla Vadan etc.) opposite Hemu Gadhvi Natya Gruh. The Saurashtra University is the city's public university. It is spread across approximately {{convert|410|acre|km2}} of green land with 28 post-graduation departments.[http://www.saurashtrauniversity.edu/about_uni.htm About Saurashtra University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103031959/http://www.saurashtrauniversity.edu/about_uni.htm |date=3 January 2008 }}. Retrieved 13 January 2008

AIIMS Rajkot, an AIIMS institute has started its medical college with its inaugural batch of MBBS Students in December 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-21|title=Academic session of first batch of AIIMS Rajkot starts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/guj-academic-session-of-first-batch-of-aiims-rajkot-starts/story-Vr1nq4RJJWe8qq3aATFeiP.html|access-date=2021-01-02|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-31|title=PM Modi lays foundation stone of AIIMS Rajkot, says India emerged as nerve centre of global health|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-of-aiims-rajkot/story-6jXlTkRJsHxDENAm0kPYmL.html|access-date=2021-01-02|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

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{{reflist}}

{{Cite news |title=Rajkot civic chief, police commissioner and two other IPS officers transferred |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/rajkot-civic-chief-police-commissioner-and-two-other-ips-officers-transferred/articleshow/110471400.cms |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=The Economic Times}}

{{Cite web |title=Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Tushar D Sumera |url=https://www.rmc.gov.in/ |access-date=17 December 2024 |publisher=Rajkot Municipal Corporation}}

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{{Sister project links|Rajkot}}

• [http://www.rmc.gov.in Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC)]
• [http://www.rajkotuda.com/ Rajkot Urban Development Authority (RUDA)]
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