Redevelopment of Gandhi Ashram will preserve its ethos: Gujarat govt

Several Gandhians have begun a march calling for preserving the site

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS E Undaunted by protests against the redevelopment and restoration of the Gandhi Ashram, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, the Gujarat government on Monday asserted that the restoration will be done in a manner that preserves the ethos of the original ashram.

This is the first time that the Gujarat government has “officially” made public the plan to redevelop the Gandhi Ashram, situated on the banks of river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. The ashram is also popularly known as Sabarmati Ashram.

In a tweet on Monday, CMO Gujarat said that the Rs 1,200 crore project will be funded by the Government of India and managed by the government of Gujarat in consultation and consensus of all stakeholders.

The CMO Gujarat put up a 4.49-minute-long audio-visual clip of the Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Memorial Trust.

The tweet comes at a time when several people associated with Gandhian institutes have embarked on “Sevagram-Sabarmati Sandesh Yatra”. The march that started from Sevagram in Wardha is expected to reach Ahmedabad on October 23. The marchers’ demand is that the legacy of the freedom movement and Gandhi’s heritage not be tampered with.

In August, more than 130 persons, including Gandhians, had come out against the move of restoration and redevelopment by terming it as a “second assassination”.

The redevelopment plan has been prepared by HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited, headed by Bimal Patel; the firm is executing the Central Vista Project.

Gandhi Ashram is widely regarded as being Mahatma Gandhi’s karmabhoomi between 1917 and 1930.

The audio-visual clip states that the austere, simple and authentic architecture of the ashram was the very embodiment of Mahatma Gandhi’s values and philosophy.

It further states that it is true that today’s Gandhi Ashram Memorial is deeply inspiring but it has been long felt that much remains to be desired.

It also states that originally the ashram was spread over 128 acres with 68 buildings and over a period of time, it now spans just over 5 acres.

CMO Gujarat said that all this will be restored in a way that preserves the ethos of the original ashram.

The Ashram Road will be severed and diverted, and the ashram will be expanded to include all the buildings that were present during Gandhi’s times.

Buildings and activities that are not congruent with the proposed memorial will be moved to satellite campuses adjoining the ashram.

Ashramwasis, who are tenants of various trusts, will be given houses with upgraded facilities within 50 meters of the current dwellings. It said that those who decide to move out will be given a “generous compensation” of four-bedroom homes, which are ready to occupy.

Original buildings of the ashram will be carefully restored and brought alive for everyone to visit, it said, adding that few new museums and exhibits will be added to display Gandhi’s life and work.

It also said that the archives and library will be better housed and facilities created for research and training.

The Chandrabhaga rivulet near the ashram will be converted into a modern waterway and historic Dandi Bridge will be restored.

It said that the restoration of Gandhi’s karmabhoomi will keep alive his values and philosophy and continue to inspire future generations.