Gujarat puts Modi's pet Panchamrut Bhavan project 'on hold'

The Gujarat government has put the ambitious 'Panchamrut Bhavan' project in Gandhinagar "on hold" after being criticised by environmental activists and citizens, who have been running a campaign against it.
Denying that the decision was taken under any sort of "pressure", Gujarat Road And Building Minister Nitin Patel said, "We have decided to put the project on hold as of now. This is purely an administrative decision. We are not under any pressure".
Activists have welcomed the decision.
"We welcome the decision taken by the Gujarat government. This will surely save thousands of trees and other wild animals," activist Jignesh Joshi said.

Aimed at showcasing Gujarat's journey of development, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had conceptualised the project in 2010 to construct five different halls surrounded by gardens and other attractions.
The Gujarat state government had alloted around 100 acres of land on the western bank of the Sabarmati river passing through the outskirts of Gandhinagar, about three kilometres away from the Gujarat Assembly complex in the state capital.

However, after learning about the state government's plans to build the Panchamrut Bhavan, several environmental activists and nature lovers began a campaign, saying it would wipe out more than 15,000 trees and destroy habitat of thousands of species.

"Building such a large complex here would have meant chopping more than 15,000 trees, destroying habitats of peacocks, reptiles and many others. So we began a campaign to stop the destruction of environment in the name of development," Joshi said.
As per the original plan, the entire complex was meant to be built in 23,000 square metres of land incorporating five different 'Panchamrut' halls and adjoining gardens, including museums to showcase Gujarat's growth story, alongwith exhibition halls, a library, a theme park and garden in it.
The project was first announced by Narendra Modi during his speech while laying foundation stone of the Mahatma Mandir in May, 2010.