Gandhinagar to get its own Rajpath

The Gujarat government is working on a plan to develop a ceremonial boulevard like Delhis Rajpath in the state capital

DILIP PATEL


The US capital, Washington , has the stately National Mall, a stretch between Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. Closer home, New Delhi has Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard where Republic Day parade takes place every year.
If you have been fascinated by these two avenues, then you may want to visit Gandhinagar in the coming months. For, the Gujarat government is working on a plan to develop a similar imposing stretch in the state capital.
A stretch between the Sabarmati River and Gandhinagar railway station , encompassing the Vidhansabha , is likely to be converted into a central avenue, or vista. The roads & buildings department and forest & environment department will begin work on sprucing up the stretch after the plan is approved by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Buildings near the National Mall in US are quite identical. Buildings that will come up along the stretch in Gandhinagar will not be similar, sources in the state government said.
The sources also said that the central avenue would have gardens . A presentation on the central avenue was recently made before Modi. A final plan is expected to be presented to him soon. The central avenue will give a separate identity to Gandhinagar, which is one of Indias greenest cities, the sources said.
Though the plan on developing the avenue is being kept under wraps, the sources revealed to Mirror that the stretch would lead to the Vidhansabha and Gandhinagar railway station.
The stretch, which will have buildings like the Udyog Bhavan on its sides, will bisect J , Ch , Gha and Ga roads.
The forest department will develop a green zone along (part of) the avenue between the Sabarmati River and secretariat, the principal secretary (forests & environment ), S K Nanda, said. Another green zone will be developed near Indroda nature park.
Nanda said that the central avenue would extend up to the GIDC. He said that land near Infocity would also be developed under the central vista plan.
Under this project, a green building will be constructed. It will have a rain water harvesting system , he said. A museum exhibiting art and culture of the state will also be built.