Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project

[viedumonde]

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to market riverfront after monsoon

Quite a bit of activity will be witnessed at the Sabarmati riverfront this monsoon. Not only will the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) start tree plantations on reclaimed land and complete civil work, but they will also be busy chalking out plans to market the country's first riverfront project.

Municipal commissioner and chairman of SRFDCL, IP Gautam, said that in a meeting on the riverfront project on Wednesday, they discussed the possibility of commencing the marketing process of the Sabarmati riverfront project across the country.

"During the last spell of rain, we also checked interceptors, as they are almost ready on the western bank. Moreover, pumping stations are also almost ready. Work on roads and other civic amenities will be completed by December," said Gautam.
Gautam said that currently, sewage continues to flow into the Sabarmati river, but in the coming months, once the interceptors are completely ready and the pumping stations start, water in the river will be clean.

Shifting of hutments from the riverbank has also started, as around 2500 houses have been allotted to the affected people.

[GJ10]

Get set for smooth sailing along Sabarmati
TOI epaper 18/07/10

It will be a roller coaster ride along the banks of the Sabarmati, but one without a hitch. Minus the traffic and its irritating snarls, like the ones experienced on Ashram road, you would have a string of underpasses to help you skip busy intersections. As per the plan, there would be at least six such underpasses on both sides of the river banks.

More importantly, engineers of Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) also have a 500-metre-long tunnel on the drawing board, designed for smooth traffic flow between Nehru Bridge and Ellisbridge on the east bank of the river. "The curvature of the tunnel is being worked out. The tunnel is designed in such a manner that it will do away with two underpasses on the east bank," said AMC sources.

On the western side of the river, the underpasses will be constructed at Subhash Bridge, Gandhi Bridge and Sardar Bridge, while on the Eastern side, they will come up at Dudheshwar Bridge, Gandhi Bridge and Sardar Bridge.

Municipal commissioner IP Gautam said, "The main idea is to decongest the traffic on the main road and provide access to people to enjoy the riverfront. The roads will run parallel to Ashram Road on the west side and Khanpur road on east side of the river. The underpasses will ensure a smooth traffic flow free of hitches."

This is part of the new plan which emphasises on better road network, a nine-km-long fourlane wide road, the 'East River Drive', along the eastern bank, and a four-lane stretch, 'West River Drive', on the other side. SRFDCL will be spending Rs 24 crore on the construction work and it is expected to be completed within nine months of the commencement of the work.

On the access points to the road on the rivefront, the sources said, "From the entry points at Ashram Road cross-roads, Ellisbridge, and from Gandhi Bridge, other options are also in stages of discussion. We have already hired a consulting agency to study the project for identifying additional access points to the riverfront." The ambitious project will boost realty by reclaiming land along both banks of the river, constricting the waterway to ensure that the river is returned to the people. It promises to retain the essence of the activity and livelihood around the river by making ghats, informal markets, public spaces, homes for the economically weaker sections besides swanky offices and business spaces. Recently, AMC authorities had selected Vasna barrage at the riverfront for the upcoming iconic 82-feet steel tower.

[viedumonde]

There is a potential to make a full fledged Interchange rather than a simple underbridge, at atleast 3 of the intersections. This will make the East River Drive and the West River Drive as spinal motorways, which can further be connected to the NE 1 all the way to Vadodara to the south, and to the Gandhinagar road and NH 8 in the north, via Airport.

If the traffic burgeons, they can make both the motorways one way, so that there will be 4 lanes in each direction, albeit 500 metre apart.

[GJ10]

Yeah... or alternatively the option will still be there to make some of the better integrated bridges one way (ideally quite far apart), thus hopefully reducing the traffic load wishing to exit at the more inconvenient bridges by encouraging flow along the riverside.

Whichever way, Ive developed a fair bit of faith in the AMC/SRFDCL and CEPT. Am really looking forward to seeing what Ahmedabad looks like in a year - 2yrs time.

Now that all the retaining walls have been built, its time for the more exciting stuff, from the few pics we have of the finished sections, the future is looking really good for Ahmedabad and Amdavadis!

[shreyas1684]

what kind of tower are they talkin about.....

[GJ10]

Its that rotating, six-piece, "qutub minar" style structure that was first announced last year... Link

[aks_sky]

wow you have subscribed to the TOI online paper.

[GJ10]

Originally Posted by aks_sky

wow you have subscribed to the TOI online paper.

lol... nah, since TOI started thinking they are worth money, I now get the Gujaratindia.com newsletter, its pretty much the pick of all TOI epaper articles anyway





And its free...

[Meeeet]

Riverfront to have cycle tracks

AHMEDABAD: It is a different story that cycle tracks did no good for the BRTS system as they lie unused along the 55-kilometre corridor. There is however a sliver lining for the Sabarmati riverfront where the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) has woven in a paver block cycle track. The track would be the closest to the river followed by the pedestrian pathway.

It will run along the road on the seven-km-long stretch between Usmanpura and Sardar Bridge. The work will cost a little over Rs 40 crore.

The plan includes landscaping of an entire stretch which will have street furniture and parking lots. Apart from this, a continuous corridor in the form of promenades has been proposed on the riverfront. The width of the promenades will vary from five metres to 17 metres. The civic authority has proposed a two-way road on both flanks of the riverfront. The road on the eastern side will be a continuous link, whereas the one in the west will have some breaks. The road on the eastern bank will be the city's first link road connecting Ambedkar Bridge, Vasna and Dafanala in Shahibaug.

The eastern bank road will be 30 metres wide as it will serve as the main link road between southern and northern parts of city. The western bank road will be 24-metre wide.

Source: TOI

[GJ10]

credit to Kushal002



credit to brotherlywalks

[nikitshah]

hey GJ10
can you let us know when were these pics taken?
and anymore pics will be appreciated

Thanks

[GJ10]

All I can tell you is that the first one was uploaded onto flickr on 30/07/10 and the second one on 26/07/10. Obviously could have been earlier.

As per the schedule announced here, its the model section near Subhash Bridge (east), is the one that already looks nearly finished in the pics.

Still a long time before we can tell if the other areas will be ready for the December deadline, but encouragingly, it seems as though more Amdavadis are uploading pics of the Sabarmati Riverfront area as it all starts to take shape, so hopefully, there should be more pics available soon!

[ashwa]

I find this project and the that gandhi ashram one where they have that windmill kind of thing the most interesting.

[aks_sky]

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation (SRFDCL) will soon invite global bids for the 15 per cent reclaimed land reserved for commercial purposes within six months, according to urban development department officials. SRFDCL had earlier submitted a detailed report few weeks ago to the department for marketing purposes ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat 2011 global investors summit. “At least three sample stretches are being readied for the purpose on the riverfront. We would like to show our investors how the project would shape up with sample gardens and landscaping,” says a senior SRFDCL official.
A team of urban development department is already planning visits to Europe and other potential investor areas in the coming weeks. “We have just 15 per cent left of 32 hectare of reclaimed land that was originally reserved for commercial purposes. We want the best names to come and invest on the riverfront. The skyline on the riverfront is still open ended as we would be able to gauge through the demands of potential investors as to what they desire,” says a senior urban development department official.
This would mean bad news for local developers, who have been salivating at the thought of sinking their teeth into the juiciest bit of realty in town. Back in 2006, biggies like Unitech, DLF, Rahejas and Emaar were approached with similar proposition. It was during this time that the SRFDCL planned to invite global bids for the first time, but pulled back.
What will make the project particularly viable for global and national players is the building of skyscrapers, especially in the central business district (CBD) proposed between the Nehru Bridge and the Gandhi Bridge.

Link

[theshahguy23]

This is progressing nicely.

[The Patel]

This Sabarmati River Front project is shaping up very nicely. I am sure Modi is the first CM that has built so many projects not just for industrial purposes but also for recreational usage. Our Kings use to build parks, library, courts etc and then nothing was built till now.

[rajugentleman80]

The river they now tell me had been drained dry. Cattle grazed on its bed, kids played cricket, it was a waste land almost. Waters from the Narmada river have been diverted into the Sabarmati River and it is now full. The building of the Narmada Dam having to play a part in this. But alongside on the banks of the river, the government develops the embankment area, with gardens and shops and restaurants, to become an area for entertainment and public usage. A massive project, but well thought out.

-- By Amitabh Bachchan


Source: Amitabh Bachchan's blog post

[aks_sky]

Hey guys this is a video from a Gujarati news channel. I will try translate as much as i can but some of the words are really pure which i dont think i know since i mostly talk slang. But never the less i will try my best.



In megacity Ahmedabad, at the banks of river Sabarmati there is a glimpse of Singapore taking shape.

In the Sabarmati Riverfront project, 200 acre of land or 77 hectares of land is used for planting different plants/trees/vegetation.

AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation) Commissioner : I P Gautam - The development is taking place in 200 hectares of land and out of that about 38% will be developed into parks and gardens in which there will be lakhs of plants and trees.

The riverfront project is taking place at the banks of the river Sabarmati at approx 10km in length.

38% of land on both sides of the banks will be again used for some sort of urban forest which is going to be developed by architects and Urban forestry.

The forest/garden will be built between Subhash bridge to Dudheshwar bridge, approx 62030 sq km. and also another public garden will be built between Gandhi bridge and Nehru bridge which will be about 32190 sq km.

From NEhru bridge to Ellis bridge they will build a heritage park which will consist of 19485 sq km of land.

From Vasna Barrage to Ambedkar bridge they will build an Urban Forest which will be about 98361 sq km.

From Gandhi bridge to Usmanpura they will make another public garden which will be about 18365 sq km.

Again AMC commissioner talks about the same things i mentioned above.

Due to the development of this riverfront, the area will be much more beautiful and there will be significant decrease in pollution.

*************
Hope that helps people who dont know Gujarati. Tried my best hehe.

Biggest garden on riverfront to offer walk down history lane

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is ready with the layout of the biggest public garden to come up at the riverfront. The garden will be spread over 62,030 sq metre between Subhash Bridge and Dudheshwar Bridge. This will be on the riverbank opposite to the bank on which the Ashram is located.

A cable car connecting the garden to Gandhi Ashram has also been proposed by the authorities. The garden will have features like a canopy, sundial, stone posts with details like important dates and events in Gujarat’s history to name a few.

A source in AMC said: “The stone posts in the garden will provide insights into the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi. A walk through the garden will be symbolic of a walk down the lanes of history.”

The AMC will be using 37 per cent of the riverfront for gardens and urban forestry, thereby increasing the green patch of the city by 7.70 lakh square metred.

The authorities say that a 2.8-square metre area near Vasna barrage will be developed as a major recreation centre. This will have an urban forest, a public park and a revolving tower.

An urban forest spread over 98,361 square metre and a public garden of around 59,462 square metre will be developed between Vasna barrage and Ambedkar bridge.

A source said: “Plantation in urban forest will be dense. This will include species that can attract more birds.” A heritage park, spread over 19,485 square metre, will come up between Nehru Bridge and Ellis Bridge.

Lush green zones:
On eastern bank
Subhashbridge to Dudheshwar bridge: Public garden (62,030 sqm) Gandhi Bridge to Nehru bridge: Public garden (32,190 sqm) Nehru Bridge to Ellis Bridge: Heritage Park (19,485 sqm)

On western bank
Vasna barrage to Ambedkar bridge: Urban forest (98,361 sqm) Vasna barrage to Ambedkar bridge: Public garden (59462 sqm) Gandhi bridge to Usmanpura: Public garden (18,365 sqm)

Stone posts in the garden will provide info on important dates and events in history and insights into the life and times of Gandhi; a sundial will be another feature

[GJ10]

Great finds man!

And yeah, its really not about "pure" Gujarati... does anyone actually speak like those newsreaders or Guj lang newspapers in real life!?

Anyway, heres some more info on the Green Spaces (Angreji ma!)




from DNA Ahm epaper 18/08/10 pgs 1&3

[aks_sky]

Originally Posted by GJ10

And yeah, its really not about "pure" Gujarati... does anyone actually speak like those newsreaders or Guj lang newspapers in real life!?

Haha that is true, nobody does speak like them.

Anyways more to add to add to all the gardens and forests.
Aquatic plants to beautify riverfront

Now, aquatic plants will add to the beauty and serenity of Sabarmati riverfront. The plants are part of the proposed urban forest to come up in the 98,361 square metre area. The AMC is planning to develop a water body near Vasna barrage that will house aquatic flora species.

Besides adding to the beauty of the surroundings, these plants also aid in water purification and remove nutrients that encourage the growth of green algae. Said an official: “The riverfront project, on the whole, aims at environment conservation. The idea of the project is sustainable development. The urban forest area will be rich in flora biodiversity.”

The forest will also have more than 50 species of trees found across the state including peeludi and desi baval. “The area will serve as shelter for birds like sparrows that are rarely seen in the city,” he said. Specific blocks will be allotted to these species.

An official said, “We are working on the detailed plantation design. The aquatic species will also be finalised very soon. We have received few proposals for the site.” A makeshift structure to be built here will serve as information and convention centre.

A track will also be developed inside urban forest area. An official said, “Only pedestrians will be allowed inside this area as the purpose is to preserve the ecosystem.”

The water body (above) will come up near Vasna barrage.