Gandhinagar

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Gandhinagar district.

For other uses, see Gandhinagar (disambiguation).

Gandhinagar
City
Akshardham Temple
Nickname(s):  Greencity Ecopolite city Cosmopolite city
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Gandhinagar
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation
• Municipal Commissioner	Lalit P. Padalia, I.A.S
• Mayor	Hansa Modi
Area
• Total	177 km2 (68 sq mi)
Elevation	81 m (266 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	206,167
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN CODE	382010
Telephone code	079
Vehicle registration	GJ-18
Website	gujaratindia.com

'Gandhinagar'KOLAR GANDINAGAR /ɡndˈnɡər/ () is the capital of the state of Gujarat in Western India. Gandhinagar is located approximately 23 km north of Ahmedabad, on the west central point of the Industrial corridor between Delhi, the political capital of India, and Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat's new capital city, lies on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, about 464 km north of Mumbai, the financial capital of India. GNs divideADGand private housing. There is a provision of parks, extensive planting and a recreational area along the river giving the city a green garden-city atmosphere.

The 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. 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.

Gandhinagar has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission.

History

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, Gujarat 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.

The new capital city was planned by Chief Architect H.K. Mewada, educated at Cornell University, and his assistant Prakash M Apte. Both Mewada, and Apte had worked as trainees under legendary architect Le Corbusier in the Chandigarh Project in the 1950s. Gandhinagar's streets are numbered, and have cross streets named for letters of the Gujarati alphabet (e.g., "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 use solar energy, and It should be cosmopolitan.

The new city is linked with Ahmedabad on the south by a direct road, having a straight alignment and a right of way 91.44 metres (300.0 ft) wide between the proposed capital and the railway station of Khodiar about ten kilometres (six miles) to the west.

This road was proposed to be extended further to the south to join the State Highway at Sarkhej 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 (3.1 mi) 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.

Proposed city plan

File:Gandhinagar City Map.jpg

Gandhinagar City Map

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 150,000.

The total area of the site is about 5,738 hectares (14,180 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 4,290 hectares (10,600 acres) of land. Out of these, about 700 hectares (1,700 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 (1,600 acres).

Work areas

The main work areas in the city are:

1. Capital Complex and Government Offices.
2. Light Industries Areas.
3. City Centre.
4. Public Institutions Area.
5. Shopping, Commercial and Warehousing area.
6. IT Parks ( Infocity )

Panorama of Gujarat Legislative Assembly at Sector 10

These six 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

Capital complex and government offices

Gujarat Legislative Assembly interior

The Capital 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 (190 acres). It has been so planned as to merge gradually with the river front landscape to the south-east.

The Capital 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 metres (200 ft) 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 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.

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 Office Complex covers an area of about 150 hectares (370 acres). The area is located so as to be within easy reach of the residences of most of the government employees.

City centre

The city centre which occupies an area of 75 hectares (190 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.

To the south of the city along the crescent road, an area of about 50 hectares (120 acres) has been earmarked for public institutions of statewide importance. It may also accommodate public schools and colleges with residential facilities.

Shopping, commercial, and warehousing area

Bazaar at Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway in Ahmedabad, India

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 center 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. ShreeVidhyaSaree [1] is famous clothing place to buy shopping like different bridal sarees and chaniya cholies.

Residential areas

Creative Infocity

The regular pattern of main roads divides the city into rectangular sectors measuring one kilometre by three-fourths kilometre, with an area of 75 hectares (190 acres). Each of these sectors will accommodate a residential community of about 7000 persons with the necessary facilities like schools, shopping, playgrounds, and parks. Though the families of the government employees may constitute almost half 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.

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.

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

Traffic system

Monument of Indian MiG-23MF in Gandhinagar

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 fastomplete 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.

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. will 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.

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 be 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.

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

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.

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:

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. will be 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 ha (3.7 to 4.9 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.

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.

Recreation area

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 organised games are provided in each of the District Centres.

Gandhinagar View

Sports centre

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, a swimming pool, shooting and archery grounds, small area game courts and indoor physical recreation facilities.

Other uses

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

As of 2001 India census, 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

Gandhinagar has an average elevation of 81 metres (266 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. Gandhinagar is India's tree capital With 54% green cover on its land area.

Climate

Gandhinagar
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.6     28 12     1.1     31 14     1     36 19     0.9     40 23     6     42 26     109     38 27     265     33 26     220     32 25     172     33 24     11     36 21     8.9     33 17     2.6     30 13 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source:
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.1     83 53     0     88 57     0     97 66     0     104 74     0.2     107 79     4.3     101 81     10     92 78     8.7     89 77     6.8     92 75     0.4     96 70     0.4     92 62     0.1     86 55 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Gandhinagar has a tropical wet and dry 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 to severely hot from March to June when the maximum temperature stays in the range of 36 to 42 °C (97 to 108 °F), and the minimum in the range of 19 to 27 °C (66 to 81 °F). It is pleasant in the winter days and quite chilling in the night during December to February. The average maximum temperature is around 29 °C (84 °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. The average annual rainfall is around 803.4 mm (31.63 in).

Governance and politics

Further information: Gandhinagar (Lok Sabha constituency), Chief Ministers of Gujarat, and Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation

Religions in Gandhinagar
Religion			Percent
Hinduism			99%
Others			1%

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. 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/sessions of the legislature. A governor, the constitutional head of the state is appointed by the President of India, he addresses 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 run by the Chief Minister along with his council of minister and state departments and head of departments at regional and local level.

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 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. 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.In 2012 The BJP obtained a majority once again and Narendra Modi returned to power in the State for the third consecutive time. Congress wins the first municipality election in 2011. Mahendrasinh Rana became the first mayor of the city.

Economy

Industries

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

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, known as GEB Colony, wherein the employees of the power plant are given residences.

Software Technology Park of India at Infocity

Further information: Software Technology Parks of India

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 to encourage and enhance software exports from the country.

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

Gujarat International Finance-Tec City

Further information: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

Gujarat International Financial City

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City is an under-construction central business district between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is a dream project of current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Since assuming office, the Modi Government has fast-tracked the setting up of the city. It will be built on 359 hectares (886 acres) of land. Its main purpose is to provide high quality physical infrastructure (electricity, water, gas, district cooling, roads, telecoms and broadband), so that finance and tech firms can relocate their operations there from Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon etc. where infrastructure is either inadequate or very expensive. It will have a special economic zone (SEZ), international education zone, integrated townships, an entertainment zone, hotels, a convention centre, an international techno park, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units, shopping malls, stock exchanges and service units.

TCS IT SEZ

TCS has set up IT SEZ called Garima park near GH 0.

Transport

Gandhinagar Road

Air

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located in Ahmedabad is 18 km away from Gandhinagar and provides connectivity with domestic flights to the Metropolitans and other major cities of India. It also provides many International flights from Ahmedabad to across the world.

Rail

Gandhinagar Metro
Overview
Owner	Government of Gujarat
Locale	Gandhinagar, India
Transit type	Rapid Transit
Number of lines	4
Operation
Operator(s)	MEGACL

Gandhinagar Capital railway station (GNC ) is located in Sector 14. Many trains running on the western zones pass through Gandhinagar. Currently there are 5 trains running from this station in which 3 are express trains and 2 are MEMU trains.Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath, Haridwar mail for Delhi and Haridwar and Shanti Express for Indore Junction BG are main express trains running through this station.

Ahmedabad Railway Station in Kalupur Ahmedabad is the nearest rail junction (25 km away) which provides connectivity with all the major cities and towns of India. The Indian Railways transports are Available for Moving in Northern India & Eastern India From Kalol Railway Station.

Metrolink express for Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad

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. 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 45 billion.

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 and Gandhinagar.

Road

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

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

Local transport

Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses provide transport in and outside the state.Main GSRTC bus depot is situated at sector-11 (Pathikashram). Intercity buses between ahmedabad and gandhinagar is also operated by GSRTC. Gandhinagar got its own city bus service in August 2009. The city bus service is operated by VTCOS. 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 are available for local transport.

Bus Rapid Transit System

BRTS is being planned to connect Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.

Culture and cuisine

See also: Raas

Navratri garba

Major festivals celebrated are:
1) Uttarayan: an annual kite-flying day on 14 and 15 January.
2) Navaratri: Nine nights – Navratri are celebrated with people performing Garba, the most popular folk dance of Gujarat, at venues across the city.
3) Diwali and Gujarati New year: The festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, decorating the floors with rangoli, and the lighting of firecrackers.
4) Holi: a festival of colours.

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 organised during the holy festival of Navratri. 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 own respective partners.

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 Sthapana Divas (Foundation Day of Gujarat) is celebrated here on May 1 each year. Vidhan Sabha, Sachivalaya and the area up to Mahatma Mandir is decorated with colourful lights, which give a beautiful view at night.

Every year in winter, Vasant Utsava is celebrated near Sarita Udhyan on the JH road. Artists from various states present different folk dances during the festival. Various craft shops are also one of the attractions.

Sports

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

File:Mahatma Mandir.jpg

Mahatma Mandir

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

Exhibition of fossilised dinosaur eggs at Indroda Park

• Mahatma Mandir: The Mahatma Mandir is a convention cum exhibition centre and a memorial located at sector 13, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. It is named as Mahatma Mandir but is not a temple. Its exhibition area displays the economic and industrial development of the state similar to that of Pragati Maidain in New Delhi. It is one of the biggest convention centres of India spread over 34 acres (14 ha; 0.053 sq mi).Mahatma Mandir#cite note-toiks-1 It was developed by Government of Gujarat.Mahatma Mandir#cite note-ie-2 Business meets like Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit 2011, 2013 and 2015 were organised here.Mahatma Mandir#cite note-bsa-3. The memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi was constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji And Company Limited. A suspension bridge is built in memory of the Dandi March. A 41-metre high salt-mound atop of a concrete dome structure is constructed as a symbol of Gandhi's famous Dandi march against the salt tax provisions imposed by the British regime in March 1930. The mound houses Dandi Kutir, a museum, library and research center. A sculpture garden with stone murals depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi is also developed along with a grand spinning wheel, Charkha.
• Trimandir Adalaj : This is a temple dedicated to both Jainism and Hinduism. Primary deity of this temple is Simandhar Swami.

Amrakunj Railway Station inside Gandhinagar Sector 28 Garden

• GH-4 circle; central vista ground; Swarnim Park
• Children's Park in Sector-28: Children's Park is a major attraction for children and holiday makers. The Children's Park has a mini train and a lake with boating facilities. It also in houses an amusement park/tricycle ground for children as well as adults with amusement rides like moon walker, brake dance etc.
• Punit Van, a botanical garden in sector 19 is a garden containing a fusion of Botanical Garden depending on Zodiac signs and an Amphitheater. Chinese Kung fu is taught in Gandhinagar. That is first time in all over India.
• Sarita Udyan, on the bank of River Sabarmati, is a garden with a view of the river. It has a botanical garden.
• GIFT City Tower is the tallest building of the state.
• Adalaj Stepwell, 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 ornamental designs.
• Craftsmen's Village in Pethapur Located near Gandhinagar, on the Sabarmati river back, is Pethapur village, only 7 km from the capital. Once famous for its colourful `Bandhani' saris, the village also used to export wooden printing blocks to Singapore. The wooden blocks, with exquisite patterns carved on them, are used for the hand-printing of cloth. They are still in demand in the major hand, printing centres of India like Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jetpur and Rajkot. The Pethapur craftsmen are mainly Gujjar Suthars.
• Rupal Village (pronc. Ru'paal) (about 12 km Northerly from Gandhinagar; 45 km Northerly from Ahmedabad), is known for "Palli : Rath of Maa Vardayini (Hindu Goddess)", which is celebrated on the 8th day during "Navaratri" festival. It has its own charm when you see the "Palli" (Rath of Maa Vardayini) pass through the village streets. People come from all over the country to get the blessings of Maa Varadayini. "Palli"is made of wood of tree Khijada and prepared on the same day, which makes it Sacred, which is built by the Villagers only. Ghee (clarified butter) is used as prasad (Food for Good), which is poured on the Palli by the Devotees in huge amount. Gathering of devotees on the festival is approximately above 5,00,00 and is growing year by year.

Non profit Organisations

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External links

• Gandhinagar travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority
• Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation