Inside the Rs 1,200-Crore Rebirth of Sabarmati Ashram

Public Lokpal
October 05, 2026

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Inside the Rs 1,200-Crore Rebirth of Sabarmati Ashram

The historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is undergoing a massive, multi-crore transformation to evolve from a modest 5-acre retreat into a sprawling 55-acre global precinct.

Launched under a joint initiative by the Central and Gujarat governments, the project carries an estimated budget of ₹1,200 crore.

At its heart, the 5-acre core—featuring Hriday Kunj, where Mahatma Gandhi lived with Kasturba—will remain strictly preserved and frozen in time, protected under the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.

Meanwhile, the surrounding expanded area will feature restored heritage structures, new interactive museum spaces, landscaped pedestrian pathways, and an arboretum designed to chronicle Gandhian philosophy.

While the master plan aims to turn the site into an international pilgrimage and cultural hub, the redevelopment has also sparked notable discussions among historians, trustees, and locals regarding how to balance modern urban tourism infrastructure with the austere simplicity that defined Gandhi's life and work.

By blending meticulous conservation of original buildings with cutting-edge landscape design, the project seeks to introduce new generations to the ideals of peace, truth, and self-reliance.