Ahmedabad-based architect Bimal Patel, whose firm HCP Design, Planning and Management has the bagged the redevelopment project of Lutyen’s Delhi, has been roped in to “restore” the Mahatma Gandhi founded-Sabarmati Ashram to its original form by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Patel is drawing the master plan for the ashram, which is touted to be a “world-class memorial”.

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Sources said that Modi on various occasions had expressed his desire to turn the ashram into a “world-class” memorial by amalgamating all the core buildings. On his birthday on September 17, Modi held a meeting in Gandhinagar where apart from Patel, Kartikeya Sarabhai, Gandhian scholar Tridit Suhrud, chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission V K Saxena and others were present and the idea was discussed.

A day later, notices were issued to several trustees including Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust managed by National Dairy Development Board, Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust, Gujarat Harijan Sevak Sangh and Khadi Gramodyog Prayog Samiti. The properties of these trusts were once part of the larger ashram which was established by Gandhi in 1917. The SAMPT-managed Sabarmati Ashram is a popular tourist spot.

All the trusts are learnt to have agreed to hand over land but about 200 residents whose ancestors had settled at ashram have been opposing the move. According to plans, they will be evicted.

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