Mayor Bharti Vyas told Express Newsline, ``We are confident that the phase-wise implementation of the works in the 21 villages will be completed over a three-year period''.

According to Standing Committee Chairman N V Patel it was ``high time'' for the decision to come about. ``It is natural that the industry should contribute to the city's growth. I estimate the VMC will witness a 60-70 per cent growth in revenue in the coming years in terms of octroi from the industrial sector,'' he said.

Patel added that the villages deserved a better deal and the VMC could ``definitely provide them better services'' than what the respective district panchayats have been able to give over the years.

Unfazed by the magnitude of the work to be undertaken, Patel said, ``Over the past three months, the VMC's works have been carried out at an unprecedented speed and in a more synchronised manner than ever before. I'm confident that in the coming six months, we'll see an altogether different Vadodara.''

According to BJP councillor Jigeesha Sheth, the decision came as a challenge ``considering the fact that sometimes implementing works within the city also becomes difficult''. She, however, presaged a major growth in terms of revenue. ``I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the activation of the process. We also have to see how much support we get from the administration. However, given the way things are going at present and given the fact that the Mayor is also enthusiastic about the entire process, I think we'll be able to make it,'' she added.

For Independent councillor Dilip Kothari, the likelihood of abolition of octroi raised doubts over the benefits of the expansion. ``Even within the existing limits, the VMC hasn't been able to do justice in terms of services. Though the Mayor has openly expressed opposition to the abolition of octroi, how will the VMC tackle the challenge of an additional 21 villages if it is abolished? This expansion will prove beneficial only if revenue from octroi is sustained,'' he said.

However, Chandrakant Shrivastav of the Lok Shahi Morcha is confident the VMC's sources of income will increase and villages will get more services. ``In fact, the corporation's services extend almost to villages. If the administration is diligent enough, the task can be completed even in a year and a half,'' he remarked.

Congress leader Kanchanbhai Parmar also welcomed the step. ``The villages will get better services and the VMC's revenue will be strengthened by the inclusion of the industries in its limits,'' he said.