Bhavnagar

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad also known as Amdavad Gujarati pronunciation is the largest city and former capital of Gujarat, which is a state in India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. With a population of more than 6.3 million and an extended population of 7.8 million, it is the sixth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area of India. Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, 30 km (19 mi) from the state capital Gandhinagar, which is its twin city.^[8]

Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India. It is the second largest producer of cotton in India, and its stock exchange is the country's second oldest. Cricket is a popular sport in Ahmedabad, which houses the 54,000-seat Sardar Patel Stadium. The effects of liberalisation of the Indian economy have energised the city's economy towards tertiary sectoractivities such as commerce, communication and construction.^[9] Ahmedabad's increasing population has resulted in an increase in the construction and housing industries resulting in recent development of skyscrapers.^[10]

In 2010, it was ranked third in Forbes's list of fastest growing cities of the decade.^[11] In 2012, The Times of India chose Ahmedabad as India's best city to live in. As of 2014, Ahmedabad's estimated gross domestic product was $64 billion.

Ahmedabad has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Government of India's flagship Smart Cities Mission.

Ahmedabad Images

Most Popular Tourist Places & Attractions in and Around Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• The Jumma Masjid/Jama Masjid

• Situated on Mahatma Gandhi Road in Ahmedabad, Jumma Masjid is one of the finest architectural specimens found in the city. Also known as Jama Masjid, this mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in the year 1423 to render the Muslim devotees a place to congregate for Friday prayers. It is believed that this yellow sandstone mosque was built using pieces from the vandalized Hindu and Jain temples. The mosque has 260 pillars that are covered with intricate carvings and the interior of the shrine is illuminated by natural lights that filter through latticework screens.

• Siddi Sayed Mosque

• Siddi Sayed Mosque is one of the most photographed monuments in Ahmedabad. It is situated in the northeast corner of Bhadra Fort and is famed for its latticework over the yellow sandstone. The major highlight of this mosque is the twin jails on the western wall that depicts intertwining of tree branches. The carving is well appreciated as it has been done with excellent delicacy.

• Sabarmati Ashram

• Dubbed as the second home of Mahatma Gandhi, Sabarmati Ashram is a Spartan colony of tiled houses in Ahmedabad. The place has historical importance as it is considered that it was from here Gandhi orchestrated the final struggle of independence. Here one has the opportunity to witness his cottage called the Hriday Ashram, which has been well-maintained by the authority. One can still see Gandhi’s personal items like round eyeglasses, wooden slippers, letters and books.

• The Pols

• Pols are the tightly packed conglomeration of houses, built to ensure safety and security of the people. Ideally, a pol would have one or two entrances and secret exits, which only the people residing in the Pol would know about. In Gujarat, pols can be found at many places; however, the pols in the old city of Ahmedabad are its best example. The most famed pol is situated near the Manek Chowk. In many pols, one would find a personal temple built at the centre and chabutro (tall poles placed for bird feeding). Today, many pols have been converted into cottage industries, so one may find people on the steps hand-sewing books or crimping the silver. Visiting these pols in the Old City is a one of its kind experience in Ahmedabad.

• Kankaria Lake

• Reckoned to be the largest lake in Ahmedabad, Kankaria Lake is located in the southern part of the city. The lake is an ideal picnic spot for families as the lakefront has been developed into an entertainment zone as it has features like a zoo, toy train, kids’ city, tethered balloon ride, water rides, water park, food stalls, and other entertainment facilities. Even a week-long festival is celebrated here each year in the last week of December.

Adalaj Step Well

Step wells are quite prominent in Gujarat as they were the only source of water in the arid regions. Thus, the people of Gujarat decided to decorate and ornament these giant structures as well. There are innumerable step wells or vavs in Gujarat and Ahmedabad has one of the finest of all. Named as Adlaj Vav; this step well was built in 1499 by Rudabai, the wife of a local chieftain. The step well is adorned with beautiful platforms and galleries. The shafts of the well are profusely carved with floral and geometric motifs, interspersed with a number of figurines. The carved pillars that support the pavilions are flooded with diffused light and provide ideal resting places. This beautiful Vav is certainly one of the finest places to visit in Ahmedabad.

Sabarmati Riverfront

Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront being developed along the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, India. Proposed in 1960s, the construction began in 2005. Since 2012, the waterfront is gradually opened to public as and when facilities are constructed and various facilities are actively under construction. The major objectives of project are environment improvement, social infrastructure and sustainable development.

Also, it has succeeded in restoring the city’s relationship with its river.^[3] The project is two-level promenade situated on both sides of the river where the lower level serves only pedestrians and cyclists while the upper level is capable of hosting numerous cultural and educational events, leisure activities, large public parks and plazas and a few areas for commercial and retail development.

The average width of the river channel was 382 metres (1,253 ft) and the narrowest cross-section 330 metres (1,080 ft). It is uniformly narrowed to 263 metres (863 ft) without affecting its flood carrying capacity and the riverbed land is reclaimed on the both east and west banks to construct 11.25 km long riverfront. It can hold 470,000 cu ft/s (13,000 m³/s) without spillage. The total of 202.79 hectares of land is reclaimed. The reclaimed land is used for public as well as private development. More than 85% of the reclaimed land will be used for public infrastructure, recreational parks, sports facilities and gardens while nearly 14% will be used for commercial and residential purpose.^[2][6]It improves environment by reducing erosion of the banks and flooding of low-lying areas of the city by the walls constructed on the both banks. The new integrated sewage and storm-water system intercepts 38 former sewage and industrial effluent discharge points and route it to sewage treatment plants south of Vasna Barrage.^[6]Thus it reduced the water pollution in the river. The water level in the river is retained through Vasna Barrage and the losing water is replenished by the Narmada Canal. It enabled the groundwater recharge and the recreational facilities like boating in the river.^[11] There are also plans to replenish river by treated sewage water.^[12]