Sabarmati Ashram looks for Rs 350 crore facelift

The tourism department of Gujarat has chalked out Rs 350 crore project for upgrading the infrastructure facilities of world famous and historical Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. The state government has also sought financial assistance from Centre government for the project. However, the Centre is yet to respond to the proposal.

Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology (CEPT) has prepared a project report for developing infrastructure facilities of Sabarmati Ashram, which was home to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of India's freedom struggle.

"We have sent a proposal seeking appropriate assistance from Centre government for this Rs 350 crore project and it is pending with the Centre," Jay Narayan Vyas, tourism minister, Gujarat government, today said in a written reply in the state assembly. In order to promote tourism in the state, Gujarat government is developing various facilities in Porbandar, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, MG Vidhyalaya in Rajkot, Dandi Heritage Corridor and Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad as Gandhi circuit.

In its budget for 2010-11, the state government has also proposed to set up 'Mahatma Mandir' at Gandhinagar at a cost of Rs 100 crore to commemorate Golden Jubilee Year of Gujarat.