Sabarmati: The Gujarat government has appointed retired IAS officer IP Gautam to the governing and executive councils overseeing the Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development project, replacing fellow retired bureaucrat K Kailashnathan.

Known for his expertise in urban development and a no-nonsense administrative style, Gautam commands the trust of the current leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A 1986-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, he currently chairs the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), a role he is set to hold until 2027. Prior to this, he served as a Lokpal member in Delhi for over four years.

Gautam brings decades of experience in public administration. Between 2006 and 2011, he served as Ahmedabad’s Municipal Commissioner. He later became Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department and was Managing Director of the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation from 2013 to 2019.

With over 40 years of experience in financial management, public policy, urban governance, and infrastructure, Gautam is recognized for his skills in project execution and navigating complex regulatory frameworks.

A senior official involved in the Gandhi Ashram project said Gautam’s deep knowledge of Ahmedabad’s urban landscape and prior leadership roles make him well-suited for the task. “While much of the planning is complete, the challenge lies in timely execution — and Gautam has the track record to deliver,” the official noted.