Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Memorial Trust (MGSAMT) has started restoration work of various buildings of the 55-acre extended Ashram premises as part of the Rs 1,200-crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development project.
Under the project, a total of 36 buildings which hold historical significance are being restored to their original condition by the MGSAMT. So far, the trust has issued a total four tenders for the restoration of various buildings on the heritage campus.
Two of the three tenders — worth Rs 3.22 crore and Rs 9.02 crore, respectively — have been awarded to Savani Heritage Conservation Private Limited. They will deal with restoration of buildings such as Gaushala, Sardar Kutir, Das Ordi and Dhela Puni Kendra.
The third tender — of Rs 11.72 crore — has been awarded to Knospe & Co. It includes restoration of Ashram Shala, Junu Rasodu, Vanak Parivar ni Chali, and Rangshala.
Savani Heritage Conservation Private Limited is a Mumbai-based conservation firm whereas, Knospe & Co. is a Delhi-based firm into conservation and restoration.
MGSAMT has recently floated a fourth tender of Rs 15.60 crore for the restoration of six more buildings within the Ashram; these are Udyog Mandir, Young India, Chimanbhai Kutumb Niwas, Bal Mandir, Anand Bhavan and Manav Sadhna building.
The tender, which closed Thursday, will be followed by the evaluation of the bidders before the work is finally awarded. A deadline of 18 months has been set for the completion.
Total 36 buildings have been planned to be restored under the project. So far, tenders for restoration of 14 buildings have been issued. Some of the notable names among the 14 buildings include Udyog Mandir, Bal Mandir, Junu Rasodu, Rangshala, Das Ordi, Manav Sadhna building, Dhela Puni Kendra etc.
Apart from the four tenders for the restoration of various buildings, MGSAMT has also awarded a tender to construct a compound wall on the periphery of the 55 acre of the extended Ashram. This tender – of Rs 4.78 crore – has been awarded to Savani Heritage Conservation Private Limited. Sources said work has also started on the construction of the compound wall.
On the anniversary of the historic Dandi Yatra on March 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the project, along with opening the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram.
He had also criticised past administrations for “lacking the mindset and political will to safeguard the nation’s heritage”. “A country that neglects its heritage jeopardises its future. Bapu’s Sabarmati Ashram is not just a national heritage but also a global one,” Modi had said.
Drawing attention to the transformation of Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, the prime minister had noted that the once expansive 120-acre land had dwindled to 5 acres over time, with only 36 out of 63 buildings remaining. He stressed the collective responsibility of all Indians to preserve this globally renowned site.
He had outlined the government’s commitment to restoring old buildings to their original form, aiming to eliminate the necessity for new constructions. He had expressed the importance of maintaining traditional construction methods for future generations to understand and appreciate the historical significance of the Sant of Sabarmati.
PM Modi had also commended families residing within the Sabarmati Ashram premises for their role in enabling the government to secure 55 acres of land for the redevelopment, marking a significant step in the expansion of this iconic site.
Also Read: With Rajkot Airport’s Int’l Wing Struggling To Get Flights, AAI Draws Rescue Plan Through Incentives
