📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Snehrashmi
Religion
Rs 1,200‑crore makeover of Sabarmati Ashram unveiled in Gujarat
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 05 Oct 2026, 12:45 PM
👁 18
The Gujarat government has approved a Rs 1,200‑crore project to revamp the historic Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi's former residence, turning it into a modern heritage complex.
Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Ashram, the iconic residence of Mahatma Gandhi, is set to undergo a massive transformation funded at Rs 1,200 crore. The state government has allocated the sum to upgrade the premises, improve visitor facilities and preserve the site's historic fabric. The redevelopment plan includes restoration of existing structures, creation of interpretive galleries and enhanced landscaping to accommodate growing tourist numbers.
Officials say the project aims to balance modern amenities with the ashram's original simplicity, ensuring that Gandhi's legacy remains accessible to future generations. Conservation experts have been consulted to retain authentic architectural elements while introducing contemporary safety and accessibility standards.
The initiative forms part of Gujarat's broader cultural heritage drive, which seeks to promote historical sites as educational and tourism assets. Completion timelines have not been disclosed, but the overhaul is expected to boost local employment and draw increased domestic and international visitors to the ashram.
Stakeholders, including the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, have welcomed the funding, emphasizing that a well‑maintained ashram can serve as a living museum of India's independence movement. The project underscores the state's commitment to preserving national icons while fostering sustainable tourism.
Officials say the project aims to balance modern amenities with the ashram's original simplicity, ensuring that Gandhi's legacy remains accessible to future generations. Conservation experts have been consulted to retain authentic architectural elements while introducing contemporary safety and accessibility standards.
The initiative forms part of Gujarat's broader cultural heritage drive, which seeks to promote historical sites as educational and tourism assets. Completion timelines have not been disclosed, but the overhaul is expected to boost local employment and draw increased domestic and international visitors to the ashram.
Stakeholders, including the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, have welcomed the funding, emphasizing that a well‑maintained ashram can serve as a living museum of India's independence movement. The project underscores the state's commitment to preserving national icons while fostering sustainable tourism.