A

Project Report
On
SABARMATI RIVERFRONT
Under the subject of
Project Management
Submitted to
Prof.Neeta Pathak
Assistance professor
Submitted By
Foram Patel ( F 11)

SABARMATI RIVERFRONT PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront developed along banks of Sabarmati river in the city of Ahmadabad, India. It is
being developed by Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), a special purpose vehicle of
Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation for project.

History
The Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) set up the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd
(SRFDCL) in May 1997 funded by central government of India with a seed capital of 10 million (US$160,000) and
was charged with the responsibility of developing the approximately 10.4 km stretch along the river in the city.
In the first phase, EPC identified a 20 km stretch of the riverfront extending from Subhash bridge to Vasna barrage and
proposed to reclaim 162 hectares (400 acres) of the riverbed. SRFDCL planned to sell or lease out a part of it to finance
the project. In 2003, it extended the project to cover a 20 km stretch from the Narmada main canal to Vasna barrage.

Background
Sabarmati river has been an integral part in the life of Ahmadabad since the time the city was founded in 1411 along
the river banks. Besides being an important source of water, it provided a backdrop to cultural and recreational
activities. During the dry seasons, the river bed became a place for farming.
There had been a long-standing acknowledgement that the riverfront could be turned into a major urban asset from its
undesirable state. Proposals to achieve the same have been made since the 1960s and it was finally in 1998 that this
multi-dimensional project was envisioned and undertaken by the city.
Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation (SRFDCL) is a Special Purpose Company incorporated under Indian
Companies Act 1956 as wholly owned subsidiary by Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation. SRFDCL has mandate for
planning, development and maintenance of the Sabarmati Riverfront Project.

BROAD REQUIREMENTS
SRFDCL proposes to allocate a maximum of 20,000 sq m of land on the riverfront for the project under a suitable
mechanism.
Further, SRFDCL expects that the minimum height of the project should be 135 meters.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project aims to provide Ahmadabad with a meaningful waterfront environment along the banks of the Sabarmati
River and to redefine an identity of Ahmadabad around the river. The project looks to reconnect the city with the river
and positively transform the neglected aspects of the riverfront.

The objectives of this multidimensional project can be categorized under three topics-

Environmental Improvement: Reduction In erosion and flood to safeguard the city; sewage diversion to clean
the river; water retention and recharge.

Social Infrastructure: Rehabilitation and resettlement of riverbed dwellers and activities; creation of parks and
public spaces; provision of socio-cultural amenities for the city.

Sustainable Development: Generation Of resources, revitalization of neighborhoods.

PROGRESS

10.4 km stretch of walkway is open for public use. Water amusement rides including speed boat and motor boat are
working between Nehru bridge and Gandhi bridge. Both walkway and rides were inaugurated by CM Narendra Modi
on 15 August 2012.

PROJECT DETAILS
Project is undertaken with a prime objective of environmental improvement and provision of housing for the poor who
living in life threatening conditions along river bed. The project has been planned as a self-financing project. The
revenues would be generated from the sale of proclaimed land. 12 billion (US$190 million) project includes walkway
development, road development along the river, promenades, garden, construction of 4000 houses under slum
rehabilitation, amusement parks, golf courses, water sports park and construction of Kotarpur Weir.

WHAT IS SABARMATI RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT?

The SRDP an initiative by Gujarat Government, is an environmental improvement, social upliftment and urban
rejuvenation project that will renew the Ahmadabad city. The project aims to reclaim the private river edge as a public
asset and restore the city's relationship with its river. The idea for developing the Riverfront is very old. But in 1997,
the Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) setup a wholly owned Special Purpose Vehicle - the Sabarmati
Riverfront Development Corporation (SRFCDL) to explore the project.

Land Use
 Panoramic view of Sabarmati Riverfront Jan 2011, Ahmadabad
SRFDCL plans to sell 21 per cent for residential and commercial purposes and rest of the land will be used to set up
promenades, informal markets, gardens and to extend the road network. A 1997 EPC study of the estimated 10,000
families living along the riverbank concluded that 4,400 were to be resettled and rehabilitated.
A survey in 2003 by Swapan Garain of the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurship Management, Mumbai,
established that the number of slum households along the riverbank was 14,555, of which 6,293 needed to be
rehabilitated.

 Panoramic View of Sabarmati Riverfront May 2012, Ahmadabad

The EPC plan assures slum dwellers secure tenure, access to roads, infrastructure services and a 23 km proximity to
their present location, to maintain livelihood sources. In 2005 however, Girish Patel, a social activist in Ahmadabad,
filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court, arguing that the scheme would in fact disrupt livelihoods. Acting on the
petition, on 8 March 2005, the court issued a stay order on eviction and called for policy documents, when formulated,
for prior approval.

Permanent Status
SRFDCL's intention to cash in on the new permanent status of the Sabarmati by keeping water in the course throughout
the year in the 10.5 km city stretch also caused apprehensions. The river used to be seasonal, retaining water for two to
three months. According to the EIA, maintaining a water depth of 1 m at Subhash bridge will require a continuous flow
of 108 to 140 mld from October to June. As of now, surplus water in the Narmada main canal is being diverted to
ensure this. But given that Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, responsible for Narmada water allocation, has no
agreement with SRFDCL, Sabarmati's permanent status may be threatened unless AMC shells out.

Master Plan
The Riverfront project presents a great opportunity to create a public edge to the river on the eastern and western sides
of Ahmadabad. By channeling the river to a constant width of 263m, riverbed land has been reclaimed to create 11.25
kms of public riverfront on both the banks. The total land reclamation is 202.79 hectares.
The main considerations in allocating land uses for the reclaimed portions were: existing land uses along the river;
extent, location and configuration of reclaimed land available; potential for development; the structural road network
and form of the city; bridges proposed in the Ahmadabad Development Plan, and the possibility of providing adequate
infrastructure.

Plan &facility
 River Promenade (PATH)
The key feature of this project is a two-level, continuous promenade at the waters edge along each bank of the river.
The lower-level promenade is built just above the water level to serve pedestrians and cyclists, and to provide access to
the water. The upper level promenade shall host a variety of public features at the city level. Together these provide
Ahmadabad with an uninterrupted, pedestrian walkway, nearly 11.5km in length, in the heart of the city.

The width of the promenade varies from 6-18m. Facilities provided at the River Promenade include:

Access points from the city level via staircases and ramps at regular intervals and under every bridge.

Lifts or Elevators to make lower-level promenade accessible for people with disabilities.

Ghats at key locations to enable continuation of cultural activities.

Boating facilities with a boating station.

Public washrooms at regular intervals.

Concrete paved flooring which can support walking, jogging and cycling.

Continuous seating arrangement at the rivers edge along with protective railing.

Evenly spaced lighting along the length of the promenade.

Evenly spaced tree plantation along the length of the promenade

Circular concrete seating around the trees and provision of dustbins at regular intervals.

Platforms at regular intervals for regulated and organized vending activities.

Security arrangements to handle entry-exit, timings and emergencies.

 Organization
In May 1997, the Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation launched a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) - the Sabarmati
Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) under Section 149(3) of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.
The SRFDCL was provided with a seed capital of Rs. 9 corer and entrusted with the responsibility of developing the
riverfront on a Build, Maintain, Operate and Transfer (BMOT) basis. The SPV model was used to avoid the delays
associated with municipal decision-making. Riverbed land, which was originally held by the Government of Gujarat,
was transferred to the AMC. AMC has, in turn, granted development rights to SRFDCL for this reclaimed land.

 Length of the Promenade

The project creates a continuous public promenade along the River. The length of this the uninterrupted walkway along
the eastern side is 11.3km, while the western side has a length of 11.2km. Together the promenade length created for
the city is 22.5 kilometers.

 Funding
SRFDCL is a special purpose vehicle formed to develop the Sabarmati Riverfront Project. The Ahmadabad Municipal
Corporation (AMC) has loaned money to SRFDCL which has been supplemented by AMCs investment in the share

capital of SRFDCL. The Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDCO- a Central Government financial
institution) has also provided a loan for the Riverfront Project.

The project has been planned to be self-financed. A small portion of the reclaimed land will be sold for commercial
development, to generate adequate resources to pay for developing the riverfront and managing it. While the major
infrastructural components of the project are almost complete, it has already led to increased land values, thus reducing
the percentage of land for sale than what was originally thought of. The private developments that will be built on the
riverfront shall be carefully controlled by volumetric regulations to ensure that the built environment along the
riverfront is harmonious and has a memorable skyline.

SOURCES OF FUND(AS ON MARCH 31,2014)

Sr no

Sources of fund

Amount in Rs (crores)

Equity share capital

preferance share capital

Capital reserve

Lon from HUCDO

416.96

Lon from AMC

445.15

Total

20.00
220.00
1.31

1103.42

USE OF FUND (AS ON MARCH 31,2014)

Sr no

Use of fund

Amount in Rs (crores)

Expenditure of project

869.62

Interest to HUCDO

219.06

R&R

6.19

Fix deposit balances with bank

8.55

Total

1103.42

Riverfront Design - Emphasis on Open Spaces

Design created with the following principles:
Promenade with retaining wall providing access to the waterfront

Plans for recreation such as boating, water sports and floating restaurant

85% space created would be left open for parks, gardens and roads with no construction

Sabarmati riverfront development project

The SRFD Project involves creating embankment on both sides of the River Sabarmati and developing a 10.6 km
stretch of riverfront along each bank.

Embankments will allow creation of roads, gardens, public spaces, promenade, and sewerage line.

The well developed riverfront would become an icon for the city of Ahmadabad, becoming a tourist attraction and
brining investments to the city.

Key benefits that will accrue are as follows:

Recharge of Ground Water Aquifers of the City

Diversion of sewer long both sides to sewerage treatment plants ensuring clean water in the river

Continuous green coverage along the river

Elimination of Flood Hazard

Strengthening of the transportation network of the city

Relocation and Rehabilitation of slums

Provision of Informal Markets

Creating Vibrant urban neighborhoods and beautification of the city

Creation of Commercial Hub as planned on certain areas of reclaimed land

Investment opportunities in SRFD project

1. Commercial Development
2. Cultural Amenities
3. Recreational Amenities

1. Commercial Development

Total amount of land: Total floor area :-

2, 94,082 sqm (14% of reclaimed land )

8,40,000 sqm

Total value of investment: - 1350 Million (US $)

Type of development: -

Hotel, corporate houses, Malls, Exhibition center

SRFDCL
Land use 2011- As per approved by state government
No

Sanctioned land uses

Area (sq.m.)

Area (Ha.)

Roads

444377.94

44.44

21.91

Garden

274585.49

27.46

13.54

Open space

371198.31

37.12

18.30

Public purpose

288874.7

28.89

14.25

Lower promenade

266462.26

26.65

13.15

Multi use (for sale)

294082.62

29.41

14.50

Sport purpose

72502.91

7.25

3.56

Public utilities

5912.56

0.59

0.29

Residential zone-1(Residual)

5402.23

0.54

0.27

10

Commercial zone-1(Residual)

3602.52

0.36

0.18

11

General industrial zone-1(Residual) 530.97

0.05

0.02

12

Educational zone-1(Residual)

338.55

0.03

0.01

Total

2027871.06

202.79

100.00

2. Cultural Amenities
Total Amount of Land:

36,000 sqm

Total Floor Area (Construction): 1, 00,000 sqm

Type of Development: -

Museum, Theatres

3 Recreational Amenities
Total Amount of Land: 1, 58,000 sqm
Type of Development: - Water Sports, Floating Restaurants