Gandhinagar ગાંધીનગર
—  Capital  —
Panorama of Gujarat Legislative assembly
Nickname(s): Ecopolite city/Cosmopolite city
Gandhinagar
Coordinates: 23°13′N 72°41′E / 23.22°N 72.68°E / 23.22; 72.68Coordinates: 23°13′N 72°41′E / 23.22°N 72.68°E / 23.22; 72.68
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Gandhinagar
Government
• Municipal commissioner	R.C.Kharsan
Area
• Total	177 km2 (68 sq mi)
Elevation	81 m (266 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	195,891
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	382010
Telephone code	079
Vehicle registration	GJ-18

Gandhinagar /ɡɑːndɨˈnɑːɡər/ (Gujarati: ગાંધીનગર  pronunciation (help·info)) is the capital of the state of Gujarat in western India. Gandhinagar is located approximately 23 km North from Ahmedabad, the biggest city of Gujarat, on the west central point of the Industrial corridor between Delhi, the political capital of India, and Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

Modern Foundation[link]

In 1960, when the old Bombay State was bifurcated into the present states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bombay city fell to the share of Maharastra. It was then decided to build an entirely new capital for Gujarat.^[1]

Gandhinagar, Gujarat's new capital city, lies on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, about 464 km away from Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Gandhinagar presents the spacious, well-organized look of an architecturally integrated city.^[1]

Thirty sectors, into which the city has been divided, stretch around the central Government complex. Each sector has its own shopping and community center, primary school, health center, government and private housing.^[1] Apart from which there is a generous provision for wide open green parks, extensive planting and a large recreational area along the river giving the city a lush green garden-city atmosphere.^[1]

The famous Akshardham temple is located in Gandhinagar. There was a determination to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise, partly because the state of Gujarat was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.^[1] and hence the planning was done by two Indian Town Planners; Prakash M Apte & H. K. Mewada, who had apprenticed with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. Unlike the other two new capital cities in India, "Gandhinagar would become emblematic of Gandhian ideals of swadeshi (indigenous) goods and swaraj (self-rule).^[1]"

History[link]

In the 13th century, King Pethasinh of Pethapur, ruled over Shertha town. After the death of Pethasinh, the Sultanate of Patan used this land as battle ground. Sultan Ahmed Shah decided to move his capital from Patan to a new city, and built Ahmedabad. In 1960, Bombay state was split in two different states, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ahmedabad became capital of Gujarat, and a new capital city was to be built on land which was once part of Pethapur state.

Panorama Of Gujarat Legislative Assembly at Sector 10

The New Capital city was planned by two Indian planners, H.K. Mewada, educated at Cornell University and Prakash M Apte.^[2] Both Mewada, and Apte had worked as a trainees in the Chandigarh Project in the 1950s. Gandhinagar's streets are numbered, and have cross streets named for Gujarati alphabets like "k", "kh", "g", "gh", "ch", "chh", "j" . All streets cross every kilometre, and at every crossing traffic circles decrease the speed of traffic.

The city has developed in four distinct phases:

• Phase 1: After the city's infrastructure was completed in 1970, and until 1980, it was known as 'Gandhian City,' since it was based on Gandhi's concepts and principles.
• Phase 2: Between 1980 and 1990, a time of low pollution, it was known as 'Unpolluted City'.
• Phase 3: After 1990, many trees were planted, and the city became the 'Green City.'
• Phase 4: In 2002, Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, proposed a new, triple focus for the city: it should be green, It should utilize solar energy, and It should be cosmopolitan.

THE PLANNING CONCEPT FOR THE CITY

Regional Linkages : The new city is linked with Ahmedabad on the south by a direct road, having a straight alignment and a right of way 91.44m.. wide between the proposed Capital and the railway station of Khodiar about ten kilometers (six miles) to the west.

Gandhinagar Location Plan

This road was proposed to be extended further to the south to join the State Highway at Surkhej near Ahmedabad. A road over bridge was to be provided at the crossing of this road and the Ahmedabad Delhi metre gauge line at Khodiar. Thus, traffic from Saurashtra area could directly come to Gandhinagar without going through Ahmedabad. The road link to Khodiar also connects the new city with Ahmedabad-Mount Abu State Highway. The site is connected to National Highway No, 8 (Bombay-Delhi) across the river by 5 km.(8 miles) link road.

The alignment of the proposed extension of the broad-gauge railway from Sabarmati to the Fertiliser Complex at Saij near Kalol and also to the Thermal Power Station installed in the industrial area in Gandhinagar, was to run along the western boundary of the township. It was proposed to have a railway station in the centre along the western boundary of the township. The railway line was to run under proposed road over bridge at Khodiar and where it crosses the Ahmedabad-Kalol State Highway, there was to be a road over bridge. The new city was thus very well linked by road, rail and air with. all parts of the State and the Country.

The City Plan[link]

The character of a plan for a new city is influenced by various factors, such as the regional setting. site conditions, dominant function etc. Functionally, Gandhinagar was to be the Capital City of Gujarat. The new city would predominantly be the administrative centre of the State and consequently may acquire many important cultural, civic and allied functions. Initially, the principal employer in the city would be the State Government and as such, the design population was based on the Government employment structure. In 1965 the city was planned for a population of 1,50,000.

Town Concept

The total area of the site is about 5738 hectares (14174 acres) including and divided by the river. The area under river is about 800 hectares. The new city is planned on the western bank on 4290 hectares (10,000 acres) of land. Out of these, about 700 hectares (1600 acres) along the river front (which is eroded land- ravines) are left out for river side development. The area of the land in the eastern side of the river, not proposed for immediate use, is about 650 hectares. Gandhinagar Town Plan has been evolved keeping in mind, development of a balanced and healthy community socially as well as economically, as its central theme. The living areas, work areas and the recreational areas have been so inter-related in the town plan that the time spent by the people in journey to work and back would be minimum. The leisure time available to them, could thus be increased for various social and recreational activities during the day.

Road System[link]

The approach roads from khodiar railway station and Ahmedabacl, join towards the south of the city forming an entrance to it. The pattern of main city roads is generally rectangular forming a grid one of kilometer by three fourth kilometer. The roads have been oriented to run 30° north of west and 60° north of east to avoid direct facing of morning and evening sun during journeys to and from work areas. This orientation is suitable for the design of buildings and enables those to be sited conveniently to avail of natural breeze. The river side road follows the natural features and forms a crescent, skirting the proposed recreational area along the river front. The peripheral roads and the access road to the city centre are 65 m, wide. Roads to Government Offices from south-west and north-west and the crescent road are l00m. wide; the other main city roads are 45 m. wide. City roads oriented North-East to South-West are named with letters of the Devnagari alphabet. The curved road along the river is ‘J’ followed by ‘CHH’, ‘CH’, ‘GH’ ‘G’,‘KH’ and ‘K’. The roads oriented North-West to South –East are numbered 1 to 7.The 'J' road is national highway no.8.It is out of city.

Work Areas[link]

The main work area in the city are :

(i) Capitol Complex and Government Offices. (ii) Light Industries Areas. (iii) City Centre. (iv) Public Institutions Area. (v) Shopping, Commercial and Warehousing area.

These five areas together, will generate most of the traffic within the city. It was therefore necessary to locate each of these in such a way that, the total volume of traffic is well distributed within the city with a balanced pressure on all traffic routes. The government offices have been located to the south-east of the geographical centre of the city while the industrial area is located to the north. The prevailing breeze direction confirmed this location. The city centre and the commercial area is situated a little to the north-east of the geographical centre of the city with the public institutions area in the south

Capitol Complex and Government Offices[link]

The most important work place in the city would be the Capitol Complex and Government Offices. The Capitol Complex, consisting of the Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly, the High Court and Offices of Heads of Departments is located centrally in one Sector with an area of 75 hectares (185 acres). It has been so planned as to merge gradually with the river front landscape to the south-east.

Capitol Complex Model

The Capitol complex is placed on the south-east end of the central axis road no.4 which is planned as an Avenue having a central green of about 60 mt. width. In the planned expansion of the city it was proposed to extend the city towards North-West and extend the road no.4, so that the capitol complex would remain as the focal point of the central avenue of the Capital City. Behind the Capitol Complex on the river front was the designated location of an imposing memorial to Mahatma Gandhi either as a tall statue or a symbolic representation of his ideals. (This concept of the memorial & Capitol Complex at the apex of the central axis of the city has been completely destroyed by the Consultants of GUDA. in their re-planning)

Capitol Complex Builtl

Other Offices of the State Government have been located to the north of the Capital Complex while to the south, the area is reserved for offices of the Government of India. The entire Government Offices Complex covers an area of about 150 hectares (370 acres). The area is so located as to be within easy reach of the residences of most of the Government employees.

(refer chapter 2 Evolution of Town Form & Structure) A typical town in Gujarat was normally situated along a river (Sabarmati)…. The residence of the Ruler (Legislative assembly & Secretariat buildings) occupied a prominent location around which were grouped residences… (residential sectors). The major road of the town (Road ‘4’) centered on the palace (Legislative Assembly building) and was generally very wide…. Along this street developed commercial bazaar (Road no.”4”)

GnagarMaster Plan

Light Industries Area Shopping, Commercial and Warehousing Area Though Gandhinagar is primarily to be an administrative centre, it must have a diversified economic base to make It a ‘living’ city. It is therefore desirable that light industries which will not basically alter the character of the city be established there.

It is estimated that about 9000 workers will be engaged in such industries. An area of about 120 hectares (300 acres) has been earmarked for this purpose to the north of the city. It includes provision for establishment of industrial training schools or such other technical institutions requiring close proximity with the “workshop”

City Centre[link]

The city centre which occupies an area of 75 hectares (185 acres) will accommodate the major civic, cultural and business facilities for the city. The main bus terminus for regional traffic routes is also located here.

City Centre Model

Public Institutions Area: To the south of the city along the crescent road, an area of about 50 hectares (125 acres) has been earmarked for public institutions of State-wide importance. It may also accommodate public schools and colleges with residential facilities.

Shopping Commercial & Warehousing Area[link]

At the intersection of the two central roads in the city is located the main shopping centre for the city. Though it will spread to some extent along these two roads, it has been so planned as not to cause any hindrance to traffic on them. This area will accommodate retail shopping facilities as well as other commercial premises. Along the central avenue, connecting the City Centre with the Capital Complex to the south-east and the warehousing area to the north-west, a strip of land is reserved for special buildings requiring larger plots. At the north-western tip of this strip is located the wholesale and warehousing area to which will flow goods from the surrounding region without any hindrance to the traffic within the city.

Residential Areas[link]

The Regular pattern of main roads divides the city into rectangular sectors measuring one kilometer by three fourth kilometer with an area of 75 hectares (185 acres). Each of these sectors will accommodate, on an average. residential community of about 7000 persons with the necessary facilities like schools, shopping, playgrounds, parks, etc. Though the families of the government employees may constitute almost 50 per cent of the envisaged population of the city, most of the residential communities are proposed to have population dependent on government service as well as other occupations. This is considered desirable so as not to create isolated Government Colonies.

The government employees are accommodated in different categories of houses to be built by the Government. Eight categories of residential plots, ranging from a minimum of 135 sq. mt. to a maximum of 1600 sq. mi., are made available for people in general. Each residential community has hierarchy of about four categories of private plots and government quarters to achieve a balanced social and economic structure.

In order to achieve economy in development costs and facilitate maximum benefit from social integration the residential units are planned in a compact form. Consequently, larger open spaces and playgrounds are available and accessible to the people within walking distance. Each residential community is traversed by a cycle-pedestrian way crossing the main roads by an underpass leading towards the Government Offices area which is the main work centre and a cycle way leading to the city centre and industrial area. Major facilities like primary and secondary schools, shopping centre, health and community centre, etc. are grouped along this cycle-pedestrian way, making them easily accessible to all without having to cross main vehicular roads. For each category of house for government employee, at least two or three alternative designs have been developed so that by using these alternative designs and their combination, a more varied pattern of housing is obtained and there is no monotony in the Government housing area.

A Cycle Underpass

The smallest category of house for a government employee provides a drawing room. a bed room, kitchen, front verandah, back verandah and independent toilet block with a total plinth area of 450 sq. ft. This is probably the highest standard adopted in the whole of country for this category of housing. Moreover, in the design of this type of housing, care has been taken to see that while a person on ground floor gets about 16 ft.wide garden in the front and 20 ft. wide garden in the back, the families on the upper floor get an attached open terrace in addition to the minimum accommodation provided. The housing has been generally designed in the form of row house so that considerable economy has been achieved in the cost of land. In some of the housing categories, fiats have been provided while in a few of categories, independent bungalows have been constructed.

These residential groups in Gandhinagar have a basic and fundamental resemblance with the community structure presented by ‘Poles’ as obtained in almost all cities of Gujarat. Just as is found in the case of these houses in the ‘Poles’, residential houses are grouped along a street, which opens out at places for social inter-course between people of all ages as also for a play space for children. The street pattern in the residential groups are as informal as is found in ‘Poles’, free of fast traffic and serving only the local traffic generated by the residential groups. In the old cities in Gujarat, the Community Structure presented by the ‘Poles’ evolved as a result of the caste system or the guild system. In Gandhinagar an attempt has been made to form the residential groups of people of such economic strata as would permit evolution of a fully socially active life: Even the houses designed for- especially lower income groups -in the form of row houses resemble the continuous houses along the streets encountered in the ‘Poles’ which immensely help in reflecting the community structure obtained in the Poles. Typical residential groups in Gandhinagar and the street pattern obtained in the old cities in Gujarat .is illustrated below.

The Historical Pole structure leads to social cohesion and better feeling of neighbourliness than the traditional western European grouping of houses around central open spaces.

The Pole structure translated in a modern layout.

The traditional Pole structure of grouping of houses has been very ingeniously translated into the layouts for Government housing areas as illustrated above.

Traffic System[link]

The cycle pedestrian ways are part of the traffic system adopted for the new city. The major factor which creates traffic problems in our country is the mixture of slow and fast moving vehicles. Complete segregation of the two is achieved by a traffic system ensuring relatively safer and swifter passage for both. Basically, the system consists of a grid (1 km. x 0.75 km.) of motor roads and another grid (1 km. x 0.75 km.) of cycle pedestrian ways superimposed on each other so that each residential community is served by motor roads on the periphery and cycle ways within it. Grade separation by an underpass with an easy gradient ( 1 in 50) at the intersection of cycle pedestrian ways and motor roads will enable the two systems to work almost independent of each other.

Sector traffic system.

As a result of this traffic system, the main functions in the city, such as the Government Offices, City Centre, Shopping Centre, Riverside Recreational Area, Industrial Area, etc. wilt be accessible to residential communities by way of cycle pedestrian ways independent of the motor roads. Conversely, a majority of the residential units in the city could be reached without having to travel on or across the main vehicular roads..

Sector 29 Layout Plan.

The internal “loop” road takes its shape to accommodate existing trees. In the planning of Gandhinagar in a total area of over 6000 hectares because of this meticulous attention to retention of existing trees, only 5 trees had to be uprooted all of which were replanted and took roots . Where groups of trees existed, as can bee seen in the layout plan of sector 29, these were accommodated by locating the main sector open space to include those. Buildings for schools were located within the sectors along the main city roads to provide visual relief and break monotony of residential buildings all along the road.

Sector 29 Government Housing Layout.

rightSector 29 Government Housing Layout.

The main town roads have been so oriented as to be helpful in orienting the various buildings correctly with respect to light and air ventilation. The alignment of the distributor road within the sectors is taken in such a way that it facilitates to orient the residential quarters in a correct manner. Practically in all the sectors, nearly 60% of the residential quarters have been correctly oriented with reference to light air and ventilation.

Density Pattern

Density Pattern[link]

The Government being the largest employer, densities are relatively higher around the Government Offices area (100 to 150 persons/gross hectare or 40 to 60 persons/gross acre) and the industrial area. They are generally lower (10 to 100 persons/gross hectare) on the periphery of the city. On the basis of this density pattern the total population of each sector was worked out.. This total population was then apportioned between those dependent on government employment and the supporting population. The type of government employees to be accommodated was decided by the density. Four different groups of employees had to be integrated in one sector. Plots for supporting population had to correspond to the economic status of the government employees. Thus four categories of housing for government employees and four corresponding categories of plots for supporting population were accommodated in each residential sector to fit within the desired density pattern.

rightSector 29 Government Housing Layout.

Within the residential communities, net densities are as high as 250 persons per hectare (100 persons/acre in Government housing clusters). However in general, medium density development (average density of 100 persons per gross hectare or 40 persons per gross acre) was proposed. in keeping with the character of the new city. Densities are subject to alteration depending upon the housing policy of the Government. Higher densities are possible if large scale public housing programme is undertaken.and FSI increased in future. Community Facilities:

A Typical Community Centre in a Residential Sector

All the community facilities such as primary and Secondary Schools, Shopping Centres, Community centres, Parks and Playgrounds, Dispensary, Police chowky, Rangamanch, site for Religious purpose etc. are provided along the cycle- pedestrian ways forming continuous green spaces in each sector. On the basis of anticipated age structure of the population in the new city and based on the age structure as observed in Ahmedabad, it was proposed to provide one primary school for 3000-4000 population and a secondary school for 10,000-12,000 population. Average standard for open space is about 1.5 to 2 hectares (4 to 5 acres) per 1,000 population excluding school play areas and city level parks.

An area of about 50 sq. mts. per 1,000 population is provided for retail shopping A district centre is provided for a group of four or five residential communities. The population served by each district centre is about 40,000 to 50,000. It is to have shops of selective nature, restaurant, cinema, dispensary, police station, post office, banks, club and play field for organised games. There will be four such district centres in the town. These district centres may also serve the adjoining villages of Pethapur, Kolawada, etc.

Gandhinagar Green Recreational Area

The District Centres provide for higher level shopping, mainly for consumer durables, workshops for equipment and vehicle repairs, quality readymade garments, restaurants, residential hotels and cinema sports grounds etc. These centres also provide for offices for commercial use as well as those for the government and local authority and utility services, banks, post offices etc. They may also provide for parking for commercial goods and passenger vehicles and small warehousing areas Cold storages and small offices for professionals and coaching as well as training facilities can be provided. Residential accommodation can be built above the commercial and shopping facilities.

District Shopping centre in Sector 21

Recreation Area[link]

The central vista in front of the Sachivalaya Complex is proposed to be developed as an ornamental garden integrated with the riverside development.

In addition to this, a large town park and recreational area is to be developed along the river front. A barrage constructed near the village Indroda will turn the river into a big elongated lake with the park fronting on it. This lake will have a permanent depth of 5 to 15 ft.of water and will be used for pleasure purposes and will provide opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing. With the formation of the lake, there is a great possibility of converting the ravines along the western bank of the river into beautiful water lagoons with parks and gardens around. This lake and the water lagoons will form an integral part of the river front town park proposed to be developed along the west bank of the river. The crescent road will bridge across small ravines making way for the arterial cycle ways to cross underneath. The riverside park will thus be within the reach of, and easily accessible to, the entire population of the city. The residential communities will have access to the town park by continuous green ways accommodating the cycle pedestrian way system. The park incorporates the lake, the existing landscape features including the Indroda Fort etc., The principal features at the park will be :

(1) Large areas of open grass land and wooded area for picnic, walking, adventure, play area for children, ball games, kite flying etc.

(2) Water lagoons with facilities like boating, bathing, bathing ghats, swimming areas, play sculptures etc.

The city will have a series of parks and play grounds in the residential communities where children from the adjoining areas can easily walk in.. Larger play grounds for organized games are provided in each of the District Centres.

Gandhinagar Sports Complex Sector 15

Sports Centre[link]

A regional sports centre has been planned on and along the spinal east west motor way of the New Town close to the proposed railway station and occupying a central location in relation to the future expansion of the town, This will include, a stadium (to seat 50,000), athletic tracks, practice areas, tennis courts, cricket, hockey and football grounds, swimming pool, shooting and archery grounds, small area game courts and indoor physical recreation facilities.

Other Uses[link]

The main Hospital is located in sector No. 12. in the centre of the city so that it is easily accessible to all. The Circuit House etc. are located along the crescent road. The residences for the State Ministers are planned in a cluster between the crescent road and the river. A large ‘maidan’ of about 50 acres is also provided in the centre of the city near the civic centre for annual fairs, religious functions, exhibitions etc. A college campus providing Arts, Commerce and Science Colleges near the sports complex is planned in sector No. 15.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Gandhinagar had a population of 195,891. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gandhinagar has an average literacy rate of 77.11%,: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 73%. In Gandhinagar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Over 95% of the population of Gandhinagar are Hindus.

Geography[link]

Gandhinagar has an average elevation of 81 metres (265 feet). The city sits on the banks of the Sabarmati River, in north-central-East Gujarat. The 20,543 km² Area Around Gandhinagar is defined by Gujarat capital Territory.It spans an area of 205 km² (79 sq mi). The river frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water.

Climate[link]

Gandhinagar has a monsoon climate with three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. The climate is generally dry and hot outside of the monsoon season. The weather is hot from March to June when the maximum temperature stays in the range of 36 °C (97 °F) and 42 °C (108 °F), and the minimum in the range of 19 °C (66 °F) and 27 °C (81 °F). It is cool but never Really cold From November to February, the average maximum temperature is around 29 °C (85 °F), the average minimum is 14 °C (57 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September.^[5] The average annual rainfall is around 803.4 mm (32 inches).

Governance and politics[link]

On 1 May 1960, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern districts of former State of Bombay. These districts were further subdivided later on. There are 25 administrative districts in the state (as of 2006). Gandhinagar is a politics hub for the state of Gujarat. Sri L.k. Advani is Present Elected member for 19 years from Gandhinagar seat in Loksabha Election.^[6] Unlike other cities, Gandhinagar has its own administrative body 'The Capital Project division' created by the government of Gujarat in 1965 AD.

Gujarat is governed by a Legislative Assembly of 182 members. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are elected on the basis of adult suffrage from one of 182 constituencies, of which 13 are reserved for scheduled castes and 26 for scheduled tribes. The term of office for a member of the Legislative Assembly is five years. The Legislative Assembly elects a speaker, who presides over the meetings of the legislature. A governor is appointed by the President of India, and his Assembly, and to address the House after every general election and the commencement of each year's first session of the Legislative Assembly. The leader of the majority party or coalition in the legislature (Chief Minister) or his or her designee acts as the Leader of the Legislative Assembly. The administration of the state is led by the Chief Minister.

Gujarat is one of the most politically conservative state in India. Both the ruling BJP and Congress in Gujarat are far more conservative than in the national scene.

After gaining Independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress party ruled the Bombay state (which included present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra). Congress continued to govern Gujarat after the state's creation in 1960. During and after India's State of Emergency of 1975-1977, public support for the Congress Party eroded, but it continued to hold government until 1995. In the 1995 Assembly Polls, the Congress lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Keshubhai Patel came to power. His Government lasted only 2 years. The fall of that government was provoked by a split in the BJP led by Shankersinh Vaghela . In 2001, following the loss of 2 assembly seats in by-elections, Keshubhai Patel resigned and yielded power to Narendra Modi. The BJP retained a majority in the 2002 election, and Narendra Modi has since served as Chief Minister of the state. On 1 June 2007, Narendra Modi became the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat.^[7][8] Once again the polls (Dec'07) elected Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP retained a majority once again in 2007 and Narendra Modi returned to power in the State once again. Mahendrasinh Manubha Rana became the first mayor of the City.

Economy[link]

Industries[link]

The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation oversees the planning of industrial facilities and areas, and the appropriate infrastructure. Renowned corporate consultants such as Shri Gaurav Khatri are providing services to this capital of the state.

Thermal Power Station[link]

The State Government owned Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) has set up a Thermal Power Station in Gandhinagar; at the stretch towards Pethapur. The Power Station also has a Colony; fondly known as GEB Colony; wherein the Employees of the Power Plant are given residences.

Software Technology Park of India at Infocity[link]

Identifying IT as an area of focus, the Government of India had promulgated a policy in 1986 making "Software Exports, Software Development and services and Training" an area of prime importance. Further identification of factors hindering the growth of the software industry by the Government led to the creation of Software Technology Park Scheme in order to encourage and enhance software exports from the country.^[9]

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was established and registered as an autonomous society on 6 June 1991 under the Society Regulation Act 1860,^[9] under the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information technology, Government of India.^[9]

Gujarat International Finance-Tec City[link]

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited (GIFTCL) and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited IL&FS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco for the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) project in presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.^[10]

The capital of Gujarat has emerged as one of the fastest growing regions in the country. In addition to housing one of the largest manufacturing bases in India, Gujarat also accounts for a disproportionately large share of the investor and entrepreneurial population in the country. Recognizing the potential of the state as a centre for the financial services industry, the government of Gujarat formulated GIFT as a mega project to realize this vision. Thus, land (initially 550 acre) in Administrative Capital of the State has been allotted for the development of a Central Finance and Business District (CFBD).^[11][12] GIFT is conceptualized as a global financial and IT services hub.

GIFT is developed as India's first major supertall CBD project that is designed to be the focal point of India’s booming financial services market-comprehensive infrastructure, power, verticalized office space, and a well designed, planned and expandable urban form. Its strong proximity and infrastructure connectivity with Mumbai ensures that mutually beneficial development occurs between the two metros.^[11] GIFT is designed as an environmentally friendly development that will have the lowest per capital energy consumption of any Indian metro. The project itself will have a green area covering 65% of the total land, in large part due to the number of skyscrapers.^[11]

Transportation[link]

Air[link]

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located in Ahmedabad provides connectivity with domestic flights to the Metropolitans and other major cities of India. It also provides a many International flights from Ahmedabad to across the world.

Rail[link]

Capital Railway Station is Recently Developed by Capital project Division & Gandhinagar Road & Building Department. It is also known as Gandhinagar Capital/GNC located in Sector 14. Many trains running on the western zones passes through Gandhinagar. Gandhinagar is well connected to all other western parts of the country. Gandhinagar is well connected to the metropolitans of the western India, many trains with Mumbai as their destination passes through Gandhinagar or Ahmadabad which facilitates an easy flow of tourists from all over the western India. Ahmedabad Railway Station in Ahmedabad is the nearest rail junction which provides connectivity with major cities and towns of India. Somnath - Jabalpur Express for Bhopal Junction, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Saugor, Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath, Haridwar mail for Delhi and Haridwar and Shanti Express for Indore Junction BG. The Indian Railways transports are Available for Moving in Northern India & Eastern India From Kalol Railway Station.

Metrolink express for Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad[link]

The Governing Body of Gujarat planned for rapid transit in the city by proposing the MetroLink Express Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) also known as the Ahmedabad Metro. The contract for the four corridors of the system were awarded to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which also manages the Delhi Metro.^[13][14] Delhi Metro carried out a pre-feasibility survey in 2004-05. In 2003, when the project was conceived, its cost was worked out at Rs 4,500 crore.

The DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd) has already done its techno-feasibility study and submitted its report. Gujarat government has recently re-approached Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for a modified detailed project report (DRP) for a metro rail project in Ahmedabad.^[15]

Road[link]

Gandhinagar is connected to Surat, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai through National Highway 8A. It is connected to Ahmedabad, jaipur, udaipur, New Delhi & Chandigarh through the National Highway 8C.

Local transport[link]

City bus service (GH 3 bus stop in the background).

Gandhinagar got its own city bus service in August 2009. The city bus service is operated by VTCOS.^[16] In the first phase of city based transportation service, a total of eleven buses running on compressed natural gas have been allotted. CNG auto-rickshaws and VTCOS CT-buses are available, maintained by Gandhinagar Notified Area (GNA). Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses provide transport in and outside the state.

Bus Rapid Transit System[link]

Ahmedabad BRTS is the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for the city of Ahmedabad. It is a highly ambitious rapid transport system developed by Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), recognizing that Bus transport forms the most critical segment of the public transport system in the Gandhinagar city. GIDB has thereby entrusted the system design task to CEPT University. A part of first corridor connecting Pirana to R.T.O. was opened to public on October 14, 2009 by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.^[17]

Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad have a combined population of 62 lakhs (6.2 million).,^[18] which is likely to be 11 million by the year 2035. This would lead to agglomeration of surrounding settlements like kalol and other smaller villages, which ultimately increases the area of the city, which may become 1,000 km² in the year 2035. Moreover, about 1/3 of total as well as student population reside within walking distance from the proposed BRTS network. Thus, there is a growing need for greater accessibility to basic amenities and opportunities for mobility in the city. In such a state of rapid urbanization, it is very essential to have an efficient and rapid transit system, which will sustain and accelerate the growth of the city. In order to cater this future demand, the city and State Government has initiated a Plan for Integrated Public Transit System, in which BRTS is one of the components. This will facilitate the major mobility need of the people. In future, this system will get integrated with Gandhinagar Metro by the addition of two lines running through east to west and north to south.

Education[link]

Schools in Gandhinagar are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board and Central Board. Under the (10+2 Plan), students complete ten years of schooling, and then enroll in Higher Secondary School, where they choose from one of three streams: Arts, Commerce or Science. Which is then followed by either a general degree course in a chosen field of study, or a professional degree course, such as law, engineering, medicine etc. Government Of Gujarat Has Developed Knowledge Corridor in Gandhinagar Region. Maximum Institutes are Available in Gandhinagar region.There are All Streams Colleges & institutes Available in City Including Major part of National & International Institutes & Universities in Gujarat, They Are listed Below.

Culture and cuisine[link]

Most of the communities of Ahirs began with selling ghee and milk and are now spread all over the state.

Wood-carving is an important craft in Gujarat, evident in the many elaborately carved temples, havelis (mansions) and palaces as well as objects of daily and ritual use. Utensils are manufactured by craftspersons in Gujarat.

Gujarat also produces terracotta work, especially votive terra-cotta figurines which are placed in small shrines in forests, along roads, outside villages, on lonely hill-tops and under large trees, especially in south Gujarat.

Jewelry is also produced; each tribe or clan produces unique types of ornaments.

Different states practice different dance forms, classical music and have their own share of folklore. During the prominent festival of Navratri many forms of dances are performed; raas is one of them. Raas is a very energetic and colourful dance in which body language, eye contact, expressions and rhythm play a major part. Two circles formed by men and women revolve clockwise and anticlockwise following the rhythm of the music, while clanging their dandias with their respectve partners.

The folk dances of Gujarat, Garba, Raas, and Dandiya have been successful in breaking the confinements of locality, and the festival of Navratri brings together the whole of India. Special dancing competitions and lavish feasts are organized during the holy festival of Navratri. Couple passes are available in all major outlets and huge investments made on these functions.

Sports[link]

Cricket is the most popular sport in Gandhinagar. There are several cricket grounds in the city. The Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera located in the nearby city of Ahmedabad is one of the Test cricket grounds in India and is a venue for International cricket matches. Other sports such as football, hockey, basketball, tennis, golf and badminton are also popular in the city. A regional center of the Sports Authority of India is located at sector 15,Gandhinagar.

Tourist attractions[link]

Exhibition of fossilized dinosaur eggs at Indroda Park

Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar. temple is built of pink stones with beautiful carvings. It is surrounded by gardens and fountains.

Adalaj Stepwell- It is a popular tourist attraction of the city 18 km south of Gandhinagar. The well was built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai. The step well or Vav, as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is several stories in depth. The designs on its walls and pillars include, leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking ornamental designs. In the past, these step wells were frequented by travellers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.

Sarita Udyan, on the bank of River Sabarmati, is a garden with a view of the river. It has a botanical garden.

Deer Park (Indroda Park) is a large area containing various sections such as a Jurassic Park theme, deer park, snake park, birds park etc. Deer Park is also known as GEER Foundation Park or Indroda Park as it is located in a village named Indroda. It contains Dinosaurs Park where huge statues of different Dinosaurs are kept with a detailed explanation. Snake park contains various local snakes available in and around Gujarat. Birds are free to fly in a big enclosed bird park. There is also an aquarium.

Punit Van, a botanical garden in sector 19 is a garden containing a fusion of Botanical Garden depending on Zodiac signs and an Amphitheater.

Craftsmen's Village : Pethapur ^{[35] [36]}

Mahatma Mandir^[37] The Mahatma Mandir is located at sector 13 The project is to be developed in TWO phases. • Phase 1 will be completed by December 2010 which will host “Vibrant Gujarat 2011”. • Phase 2 will be completed by December 2011 Phase 1 includes construction of museum, foods court, convention center, exhibition center, service building, landscaping and pathway Phase 2 includes construction of suspension bridge, open air theater, parking facilities, landscaping, and salt mound

International Relations[link]

Twin towns, sister cities[link]

See also[link]

• S. K. Venkataranga, lawyer and associate of Gandhi, who lived in Gandhinagar

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gandhinagar

Find more about Gandhinagar on Wikipedia's sister projects:
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• Gandhinagar travel guide from Wikitravel
• Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority
• Gandhinagar District Megistrate
• Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation

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Narendra Modi નરેન્દ્ર મોદી
Chief Minister of Gujarat
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 October 2001
Governor	Dr. Kamla Beniwal
Preceded by	Keshubhai Patel
Constituency	Maninagar
Personal details
Born	(1950-09-17) 17 September 1950 (age 61) Vadnagar, Gujarat, India
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Residence	Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Alma mater	Gujarat University[1]
Religion	Hinduism
Website	Narendra Modi
As of 9 March, 2009 Source: Government of Gujarat

Narendra Damodardas Modi (Gujarati: નરેન્દ્ર મોદી; born 17 September 1950^[1]) is the current Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat. Born in a middle class family in Vadnagar, he was the third of six children born to Damodardas Mulchand Modi and his wife Heeraben.^[2] He has been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since childhood also having interest in politics since adolescence. He holds a master's degree in political science. In 1998, he was chosen by L. K. Advani, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to direct the election campaign in Gujarat as well as Himachal Pradesh.

He became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001, promoted to the office at a time when his predecessor Keshubhai Patel had resigned, following the defeat of BJP in the by-elections. His tenure as chief minister of Gujarat began on 7 October 2001, and he is the longest serving Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat.^[3] In July 2007 he became the longest serving Chief Minister in Gujarat's history when he had been in power for 2063 days continuously.^[4] He was elected again for a third term^[5] on 23 December 2007 in the state elections, which he had cast as a "referendum on his rule".^[6][7]

Personal life[link]

Modi was born in a middle class family in Vadnagar in Mehsana district of what was then Bombay State, India.^[8] During the Indo-Pak war in the mid sixties, even as a young boy, he volunteered to serve the soldiers in transit at railway stations.^[9] As a young man, he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student organisation and was involved in the anti-corruption Nav Nirmāṇ ("Reconstruction") Movement. After working as a full time organiser for the organisation, he was later nominated as its representative in the Bharatiya Janata Party.^[10] As a teenager Modi used to run a tea stall with his brother.^[11] Modi completed his schooling in Vadnagar. He earned a masters degree in political science from Gujarat University.^[12]

Early activism and politics[link]

Modi was a pracharak (campaigner) in the RSS during his university years.^[12][13] He took up the challenging task of energising the party cadres in right earnest. In partnership with Shankersinh Vaghela, Modi set about creating a strong cadre base in Gujarat. In the initial period, Vaghela was seen as a mass leader, while Modi was recognised as a master strategist.

The party started gaining political mileage and formed a coalition government at the centre in April 1990. This partnership fell apart within a few months, but the BJP came to power with a two-thirds majority on its own in Gujarat in 1995. During this period, Modi was entrusted with the responsibility of organising two crucial national events, the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra (a political rally through India on a converted Toyota van) of L.K. Advani and a similar march from Kanyakumari (the southernmost part of India) to Kashmir in the North. After the exit of Shankarsingh Vaghela from the BJP, Keshubhai Patel was made Chief Minister while Narendra Modi was sent to New Delhi as a General Secretary of the Party.

In 1995, Modi was appointed the National Secretary of the party and given the charge of five major states in India. In 1998, he was promoted as the General Secretary (Organization), a post he held until October 2001. In 2001, Narendra Modi was chosen by the party to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat after the removal of chief minister Keshubhai Patel.

Tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat[link]

Personality[link]

Modi is known for leading a frugal lifestyle. He has a personal staff of just three. He is known to be a workaholic Chief Minister and an introvert.^[14] He ordered the demolition of many Hindu temples that were built without proper government sanction which earned him the ire of VHP^[11] He is a crowd puller as a speaker. Modi has also tried to turn his image from an Hindu Nationalist politician to an image of able administrator. He wears business suits and is improving his command over the English language.^[15]

Awards and recognitions[link]

Modi was awarded Gujarat Ratna by Shri Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on celebration of centenary year.^[16]

Development of Gujarat[link]

As a Chief Minister, Modi started various 'yojanas' or plans. This includes:

• Panchamrut Yojana,^[17][18][19] a five-pronged strategy for an integrated development of the state,
• Sujalam Sufalam, a scheme to create a grid of water resources in Gujarat in an innovative step towards water conservation and its appropriate utilisation.
• Krishi Mahotsav – agricultural research labs for the land
• Chiranjeevi Yojana – To reduce infant mortality rate
• Matru Vandana – Providing preventive and curative services under the Reproductive and Child Health Programme
• Beti Bachao – Campaign against female infanticide to improve sex ratio
• Jyotigram Yojana – Provide electricity to every village
• Karmayogi Abhiyan – To educate and train government employees
• Kanya Kelavani Yojana – To encourage female literacy and education
• Balbhog Yojana – Midday meal scheme for students to encourage school attendance from poor backgrounds.^[20]

Vibrant Gujarat[link]

Vibrant Gujarat is a biennial Global Investors' Summit held by the Government of Gujarat in Gujarat, India. The event is aimed at bringing together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers; the summit is advertised as a platform to understand and explore business opportunities in the State of Gujarat. the event has been held continuously since 2003.

Gujarat earthquake[link]

The biggest challenge which he had to face when he took over as the Chief Minister, was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the massive Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001.

Gujarat violence[link]

On 27 February 2002, a train was burned by a Muslim mob in the town of Godhra leading to 59 deaths, most of them Hindu pilgrims and activists returning from the holy city of Ayodhya.^[21] Riots broke out in the state after it was suspected to be caused by Muslims, leading to 1180 deaths, many of them Muslims. Modi administration was accused of inaction over the riots and for encouraging them.^[15] As an aftermath of the riots, there were calls for Modi to resign from his position as chief minister of Gujarat. The opposition parties stalled the national parliament over the issue. Even Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), allies of the BJP, asked for Modi's resignation.^[22][23] Modi submitted his resignation to the Governor and recommended the dissolution of the 10th Gujarat Legislative Assembly.^[24][25] In the following state re-elections the BJP, led by Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly.

In April 2009, the Supreme Court of India appointed a special team of investigators to look into the role Modi had played in the alleged anti-Muslim conspiracy.^[15] The team was appointed in response to the complaint of zakia Jafri, the widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was murdered in the riots.^[26] In December 2010, a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in its report to the Supreme Court seeking answers pertaining to the Ehsan Jafri case, submitted that they had found no evidence against Narendra Modi.^[27]

However in February 2011, the Times of India reported that a confidential report from the SIT indicted Modi on several counts of alleged complicity in the Gujarat riots of 2002.^[28] Most other sources have noted that the SIT report does not indict Modi for the riots due to lack of evidence.^[29][30] The Indian Express too said the report did not find any Modi involvement in the violence, though it did accuse him of watering down the seriousness of the situation.^[31] According to the Hindu, the report not only found that Modi tried to water down the seriousness of the situation, but Modi also implicitly justified the killings of Muslims, and failed to condemn the attacks on them.^[32] The Bharatiya Janata Party demanded an investigation into the publication of the report, claiming the leak was politically motivated.^[33]

The apex court refused to pass any order on the case and referred it to the Ahmedabad magistrate for a decision.^[34] In April 2012, a Special Investigation Team found absolved Modi of any involvement in the Gulberg massacre, arguably the worst episode of the riots.^[35]. On 7 May 2012, a Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae, Raju Ramachandran observed that Modi can be prosecuted under sections 153 A (1) (a) & (b), 153 B (1), 166 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity among different groups during the 2002 Gujarat riots.^[36]. However the amicus report has been criticised by the Special Investigation Team for relying heavily on the testimony of a perjurer^[37].

2007 elections[link]

Modi made a speech at Mangrol in which he justified the alleged fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, During the election campaign In response to Sonia Gandhi's speech calling him a "merchant of death",^[38] and referred to Sohrabuddin's killing. For this speech the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body governing election proceedings in India, cautioned Modi as it considered it as indulging in an activity which may aggravate existing differences between different communities.^[39] Modi won the election and continued his post as the Chief Minister Of Gujarat, he won with majority of votes of 122 seats out of 182 total assembly seats.^[40]

Conflicts with Governor Kamla Beniwal[link]

On 25 August 2011 Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal appointed Justice R A Mehta to the post of Lokyukta of Gujarat, a critical anti-corruption post that had been lying vacant since 2003. Justice R A Mehta was recommended for the post by the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in June. Since Governor Beniwal had made this decision without consulting and getting the approval of the chief minister and his council of ministers, the action angered Narendra Modi and his BJP party.^[41]

This marked the beginning of a strained relationship between Modi and the Governor. On 25 September 2011, Narendra Modi accused the Governor of running a parallel government in the state supported by the Congress. He demanded that she be recalled back.^[42] He also later accused her of delaying the progress of bills by not passing them.

The decision of the governor in the appointment of R A Mehta was challenged in the high court by the Modi government. The two member high court bench gave a split verdict on 10 October 2011. Later, a third member upheld the governor's decision in January 2012.^[43]

Foreign visits[link]

As the Chief Minister of the Gujarat State, to attract foreign investment in the state, Narendra Modi has made visits to foreign countries, including China and Singapore.

Narendra Modi made his first China visit in 2007 to invite investors Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit,^[44] and second visit in November 2011. One month after the second visit to China, the Chinese Government released 13 Diamond traders from India jailed by the Shenzhen Customs, which the Chief Minister described as the consequece of his diplomatic efforts and statesmanship.^[45]

In 2005 Narendra Modi was denied of diplomatic visa to the United States, in addition to this visa denial, he was also revoked from his already granted B-1/B-2 visa.^[46]

Sadbhavna Mission[link]

In the late 2011-early 2012 Narandra Modi practised a series of fasts in the name of Sadbhavna Mission. The mission started on 17 September 2011 in Ahmedabad with 3 day fast with a view to strengthen the atmosphere of peace, unity and harmony in the state. He observed total 36 fasts in 26 districts, 8 cities including Ahmedabad.^[47]

Views and opinions[link]

Modi's position on terrorism[link]

On 18 July 2006 Modi delivered a speech criticising Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "for his reluctance to revive anti-terror legislations" like the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He asked the Centre to empower states to invoke tougher laws in the wake of the blasts in Mumbai.^[48] Quoting Modi:

Narendra Modi has frequently commented that if the BJP came to power at the Centre, they will honour the 2004 Supreme Court judgement to hang Afzal Guru.^[49] Afzal was convicted of terrorism in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack in 2004 by the Supreme Court of India and is in Tihar Jail.^[50]

On account of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, on Thursday 27 November, Narendra Modi held a meeting to discuss waterfront security along the coastline.^[51] The meeting decided to ask the Central government to urgently sanction the following:

• Increase the number of police stations along the coast to 50 (from 10)
• Increase the number of police to 1500 from 250
• 30 modern high-speed surveillance boats.

The 30 coastal boats, under construction at Goa's shipbuilding yard, will have the capacity to run at the speed of 25 nautical miles per hour. These are being manufactured under the Centre's Rs 58-crore grant for coastal security.^[51]

Views on criticism of Modi's governance[link]

In 2003, when Narendra Modi was asked about the conflict of his dreams for Gujarat's future with international criticism of his past activities, Modi said,^[52]

Modi's decision to link Gujarat's violence with the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US drew criticism from some observers, who contrasted it with the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's unpleasant apology for Gujarat in London a year ago.^[52] Modi responded to this criticism by The Guardian,^[52]

See also[link]

• Chief Minister
• Gujarat
• Bhartiya Janata Party

References[link]