Gandhinagar (Gujarati:gāndhīnagara,pronounced['ɡaːnd̪ʱinəɡəɾᵊ]ⓘ) is thecapital of the state ofGujarat inIndia. Gandhinagar is located approximately 23 kilometres (14 mi) north ofAhmedabad, on the west central point of the industrial corridor between the megacities ofDelhi andMumbai.
Gandhinagar lies on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, about 545 kilometres (339 mi) north ofMumbai and 901 kilometres (560 mi) southwest ofDelhi.[5] TheAkshardham temple is located in Gandhinagar.[6] There was a determination to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise, partly because the state of Gujarat was the birthplace ofMahatma Gandhi. For this reason, the planning was done by two Indian town planners: Prakash M Apte and H. K. Mewada, who had apprenticed withLe Corbusier inChandigarh.[7]
Etymology
The name of the city means "Gandhi's city" and it is named afterMahatma Gandhi.[8]
History
The city was planned by Chief Architect H.K. Mewada, aCornell University graduate, and his assistant Prakash M Apte.[9][10][when?] It was developed in the 1960s.
Demographics
According to the 2011[update] census of India, Gandhinagar had a population of 208,299. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gandhinagar has an average literacy rate of 90%. Male literacy is 91%, and female literacy is 89%. In Gandhinagar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Over 95% of the population of Gandhinagar areHindus.[11]
Geography
Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park
Gandhinagar has an average elevation of 81 metres (266 feet). The city sits on the banks of theSabarmati River, in north-central-east Gujarat. The 20,543 km2 area around Gandhinagar is defined by Gujarat capital territory. Gandhinagar spans an area of 326 km2 (126 sq mi).[1] The river frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water. Gandhinagar is India's tree capital with 54% green cover on its land area.[12]
Gandhinagar has ahot semi-arid climate (KöppenBSh) with three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. The climate is generally dry and hot outside of the monsoon season. The weather is hot to severely hot from March to May when the maximum temperature stays in the range of 36 to 42 °C (97 to 108 °F), and the minimum in the range of 19 to 27 °C (66 to 81 °F). It is pleasant in the winter days and quite chilling in the night during December to February. The average maximum temperature is around 29 °C (84 °F), the average minimum is 13 °C (55 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. The southwestmonsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September.[14] The average annual rainfall is around 773.6 mm (30.46 in).
On 1 May 1960, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern districts of the formerState of Bombay. These districts were further subdivided later on. There are 33 administrative districts in the state. Gandhinagar is a political hub for the state of Gujarat.[16][17]
Gandhinagar Capital railway station (GNC) is located in Sector 14. Many trains running on the western zones pass through Gandhinagar. Currently, there are five trains running from this station in which three are express trains and two are MEMU trains. Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath, Haridwar mail forDelhi andHaridwar andShanti Express forIndore Junction BG are main express trains running through this station.
Ahmedabad Railway Station (ADI) in KalupurAhmedabad is the nearest rail junction (25 km away) which provides connectivity with all the major cities and towns of India. The Indian Railways transports are available for moving in northern India and eastern India fromKalol Junction railway station (KLL).
Under Phase II of theAhmedabad Metro, total 22.8 km long network connecting Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad is being constructed. The north–south line of the Ahmedabad Metro is being extended from Motera station to Mahatma Mandir station. A branch line will connect GNLU station to GIFT City station.[20]
