The Indian Express                        18.03.2013

10 best spots in AMC list to boost tourism

Under an ambitious tourism programme for the city, the Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation (AMC) is developing 10 tourist places including
some of the most visited ones like Gandhi Ashram, Law Garden, Sidi
Sayyad Mosque, Sarkhej Roza, Jhulta Minara among others. Apart from
providing supporting facilities including parking, stress will be on
offering public utility services along with beautification of these
sites.

The project is undertaken by the AMC in collaboration with the
state tourism corporation (Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited).
These 10 sites are divided in two phases with five in each, conceptual
work on first five sites including Law Garden, Sidi Sayyad Mosque,
Sarkhej Roza, Jhulta Minara and Hutheesing Jain temple is nearing
completion.

“With designs and technical specifications of these almost
complete, the same will be opened for tendering this month. This will be
followed by development work on sites. The plan is to involve
beautification, signages, landscaping, traditional light poles and
public utility development which is entirely lacking at these sites
added with food stalls, souvenir shops and other facilities,” said
municipal commissioner Guruprasad Mohapatra.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the design work is
done by a team of architects and designers at the Centre for
Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University under the
leadership of Prof. Utpal Sharma. It is said the plan was floated after
it was realised that despite having numerous tourist sites in Ahmedabad,
one can hardly visit these in the absence of supporting facilities
around these sites.

“The aim was to develop these places as major heritage and
recreation destinations while creating connections with its visitors.
Also, to integrate with the ongoing projects like BRTS was another
challenge. Attempts were also made to address issues like parking, open
spaces, traffic and pedestrian movement and seating space,’ revealed
Trupti Patel, one of the architects at CEPT working on the project.

With an estimated total cost of Rs 50 crore, the work on remaining
five sites will take off later this year. Other five tourist attractions
to be covered in second phase includes Gandhi Ashram, Calico museum,
Kochrab Ashram, Kankaria Lake and Smarak Bhavan with each place having
its own rich heritage and significance. Thus, not much changes will be
made to the original structures, in order to support the sites, the
surrounding areas will be developed.

For instance, at present, the Sidi Sayyed Mosque which has the
famous stone lattice work on its semi-circular windows, hardly has
accessibility for the visitors due to its locations that is in the
centre of the city at Lal Darwaja. With all kinds of traffic movement at
all sides, the mosque has become a traffic island.

As per the development plans, the road on the back side of the
mosque will be closed and the existing Sardar Baugh, the garden beyond
the road will be extended to the mosque. To add to its heritage, the
garden will be designed in Mughal ‘char bagh’ format within the
premises.

“Also, as per the plans, a tourist amenity centre, viewing
terrace towards the jali, an underground connection to the Sardar Baugh
including redevelopment of Sardar Baugh are on the cards. Thus, not only
it will provide a view for the visitors but also make it accessible to
them,” added Trupti.

The proposed sites

Phase I

1.  Law Garden

2. Sidi Sayyad Mosque

3. Sarkhej Roza

4. Jhulta Minara

5. Hutheesing Jain temple

Phase II

6. Gandhi Ashram

7. Calico museum

8. Kochrab Ashram

9. Kankaria Lake

10. Smarak Bhavan