The civic body will also come out with a limited edition of a book containing photographs of the city’s heritage structures. SMC has commissioned Delhi-based experts for surveying and identifying the heritage buildings in the city.

While the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) embarks on a countrywide effort to document the heritage structures, close home Surat Municipal Corporation is doing its own bit. The SMC’s special book on heritage structures will be released with 500 prints.

Surat has rich history. The city was once known as ‘babul Mecca’, as pilgrims from different parts of the country used to come to Surat before leaving for Mecca. Also, it was at Surat, where Britishers sought Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s permission to set up their ‘kothi’ on the banks of river Tapi for the East India Company.

SMC Commissioner S Aparna said: “We are trying to identify the heritage buildings in the city and treasure it in the form of photographs in book. This work will attract many tourists from India as well as from abroad. The city has Dutch cemeteries which are unique. We will see the response and will later republish the book.”

SMC had given a contract to Delhi-based Urban Space Consultant to prepare the draft policy, conduct survey and identify the heritage buildings. The survey work is on the verge of completion and the officials involved in the work have identified around 2800 heritage buildings in Rander area and the walled areas in the city.