Sabarmati: Once the home of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is set to undergo a Rs 1,200 crore redevelopment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to unveil the master plan for the Gandhi Ashram Memorial & Precinct Development project on March 12 and also lay the foundation stone of the project.

The official announcement for the event will be made soon, and it is set to take place at the open ground adjacent to Abhay Ghat, near Hriday Kunj.

The project, a collaborative effort between the state and central governments, comes with an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore. Spanning 55 acres, this project is anticipated to be completed in two years.

Guided by the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMT), the rejuvenation initiative has evolved through extensive consultations with Gandhian institutions and stakeholders. The project aims to redevelop the Ashram’s space, with structures from Gandhi’s era commemorating his life, principles, and philosophies on a grand scale.

In this plan, the existing 5-acre memorial will be as big as 55-acre within a larger 322-acre area. The project will safeguard 21 existing structures, such as Magan Nivas, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, and Ashram Shala. Additionally, 13 buildings are slated for restoration, with three specific structures marked for rebuilding using original architectural techniques – Delha Puni Kendra, Saat Ordiyon, and Anand Bhagwan Sangrahalya. Dilapidated Gaushala buildings have been dismantled, making way for the construction of new ones.

Sticking to Gandhiji’s architectural preferences, the redevelopment commits to using lime and bricks instead of cement or steel. The project also aims to preserve every tree and enhance greenery.

The revitalized Ashram will have facilities such as an orientation and interpretation center, a souvenir shop, and spaces for interactive workshops covering topics from paper-making to Gandhian history.

The exhibitions planned here cover various aspects of Gandhiji’s life, including his works in India and abroad, movements and yatras, daily routines, and important events. The story of the Ashram will be depicted, highlighting key associates and visitors before 1930, principal Ashramites from 1917 to 1951, a gallery of female leaders, and details about Charkha and Khadi production.

As part of the initiative, over 250 families, primarily descendants of those originally brought to the Ashram by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, have been resettled.  DeshGujarat