Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad | History, Timings, Photos

Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad Overview

Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront developed on the banks of river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. Started with an objective for sustainable development and environmental improvement, the pace has now become a major tourist attraction owing to its lush green promenades, beautiful parks and plazas and an all-around soothing ambience.

Facilities and Attractions at the Sabarmati Riverfront

The riverfront has consistent seating arrangements throughout alongside a two-step walkway that is built around the river. The lower path is reserved for jogging, walking and cycling, while the top junction is used as a cultural stage along with predefined spaces for markets.

The cultural space here hosts various events, competitions, and other local festivities. Some of the frequent markets here include the Local Sunday Market (Riverfront Market) and the Ravivari market which is found towards the east of the waterfront. There are washroom facilities as well.

Besides, the layout ensures elevator and stairway facilities at even points alongside bridge pathways that cross over the river. These cross bridges help connect the new city to the old Ahmedabad settlement. This lush green surrounding of the Sabarmati Riverfront also cites boating options. The riverfront also has a view of a nearby Dhobi Ghat, a space for washermen.

History of the Sabarmati Riverfront

Founded by the banks of the Sabarmati River in 1411, the city of Ahmedabad. Although the river was the local lifeline to its inhabitants, the river was prone to frequent pollution that flowed from the city as there was no defined separation between the waterbody and the town. Recurrent city flooding was also a destructive outcome of the city's location at the time.

This led to the plan of constructing a riverfront, featured under the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project, led by Bernard Kohn, a French architect. Thus the riverfront was built around river Sabarmati by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in 1997. However, the project so far covered only 10.9 kilometres of the river line. A renovation in 2003 extended the riverfront to 11.25 km, which was further pushed to 11.5 km in 2012.

How to Reach Sabarmati Riverfront

The Sabarmati Riverfront is situated just about 3 to 4 km from the city centre. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (the Ahmedabad International Airport) is about 10 km from the riverfront which can be covered by a 15 to 25 drive. It is 4 to 5 km from the Ahmedabad Railway Station, which would be approximately 12 to 20 minutes via taxi or self-drive.