Surat Diamond Bourse Inaugurated by PM Modi: Unveiling the World's Largest Office Building - Top 10 Facts You Shouldn't Miss!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse, heralding its status as the world's largest office building. The Bourse is a monumental addition to the diamond industry, with key features like the Customs Clearance House, Jewellery Mall, and International Banking and Safe Vaults, according to PM Modi's post on X (formerly Twitter). Let's delve into some captivating facts about the Surat Diamond Bourse:

Related video: Watch: PM Modi inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse, ‘world's biggest workspace' (India Today)

Surat Diamond Bourse: Top Facts

1. Surpassing the Pentagon: For 80 years, the Pentagon claimed the title of the world's largest office building. However, with a carpet area of 67,28,604 sqft, the Surat Diamond Bourse exceeds the Pentagon's area by almost 55,000 sqft.

2. Global Hub: Positioned to become the world's largest and most advanced hub for the international diamond and jewellery trade.

3. Comprehensive Facilities: Serving as a global centre for rough and polished diamonds, along with jewellery, the Bourse boasts cutting-edge facilities, including a Customs Clearance House, a retail jewellery section in the Jewellery Mall, and provisions for International Banking and Safe Vaults.

4. Efficient Design: Despite its vast size, navigating between its 15-story towers is remarkably efficient, taking less than six minutes to reach any top-floor corner with 131 elevators managed by a sophisticated control system.

5. Architectural Marvel: The Bourse campus spans a total built-up area of 68,17,050 sqft, featuring nine interconnected towers of 81m in height. This design allows easy access between any floor or building without returning to the ground level.

6. Extensive Parking: The 35.54-acre site includes a two-story underground parking space for 4,500 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers, catering to its 65,000 employees across around 4,500 offices.

7. Diverse Office Spaces: The tower configuration accommodates varied office spaces, ranging from 300 sqft offices to larger offices exceeding 1,000 sqft.

8. Location and Reach: Situated at Khajod village near Surat city, the Bourse houses nearly 4,500 diamond trading offices.

9. Part of DREAM City: The Surat Diamond Bourse is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, with the groundbreaking ceremony conducted by former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel in February 2015.

10. Growing Occupancy: According to SDB's media convener, Dinesh Navadiya, numerous diamond traders from Mumbai have acquired offices through an auction process, highlighting the growing importance and influence of the Surat Diamond Bourse in the diamond trading landscape.