Ahmedabad

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A military cantonment was established in 1824 and a municipal government in 1858. In 1864, the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway (BB&CI) built a railway link between Ahmedabad and Mumbai (then Bombay). This connection boosted traffic and trade between northern and southern India through the city.

According to legend, Sultan Ahmed Shah saw a hare chasing a dog while camping on the banks of the Sabarmati near the town. The Sultan was impressed by this act of bravery and decided to locate his capital here and named it as “Ahmedabad”. The foundation of his capital was laid on 7 March 1411 A.D.

The 2003 NCRB report shows that Ahmedabad has the lowest crime rate. This is true among 35 Indian cities with more than one million people. In December 2011, IMRB named Ahmedabad the best mega-city to live in among India’s other mega-cities.

After independence, modern buildings appeared in Ahmedabad.

Notable architects who worked in the city include:

Louis Kahn, who designed the IIM-A.

Le Corbusier, known for the Shodhan and Sarabhai Villas, the Sanskar Kendra, and the Mill Owner’s Association Building.

Frank Lloyd Wright, who created the administrative building of Calico Mills and the Calico Dome.

Ahmedabad (also Amdavad) is the largest city and former capital of the Indian state of Gujarat.

Ahmedabad city is the main office for the Ahmedabad district. It is run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The AMC was established in July 1950 under the Bombay Provincial Corporation Act of 1949. The AMC commissioner is an IAS officer chosen by the state government. They hold the executive powers. The Mayor leads the corporation. The city residents elect 192 municipal councillors by popular vote. The elected councillors then choose the deputy Mayor and the Mayor.

The AMC handles several key responsibilities:

Water and sewer services

Primary education

Health services

Fire services

Public transport

City infrastructure

Ahmedabad has a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), maintained by the Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL). In 2010, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy awarded Ahmedabad BRTS the Sustainable Transport Award. This recognition was for its role in cutting carbon emissions and enhancing access for residents. The first phase linking RTO to Pirana opened on 14 October 2009. Then, the second part connecting Chandranagar to Pushpa Kunj gate at Kankaria was inaugurated on 25 December 2009. It is extended from Shivranjani to Iskcon Temple on 15 September 2012. On 28 September 2012 it also include the sketch from Soni ni Chali to Odhav.

Ahmedabad has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen ‘BSh’). It gets slightly less rain than a tropical savanna needs

Ahmedabad is currently among India’s top producer of cotton garments, cotton products. Many cotton manufacturing units are presently running in and around Ahmedabad. Textiles is one of the major industries of the city.

Ahmedabad is one of the six operating divisions of the Western Railway. Railway lines connect the city to all towns in Gujarat and other major Indian cities.

Ahmedabad is the fifth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area in India. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had a population of 3,520,085 in the 2001 census. The urban population, which includes the AUDA area, was 4,525,013. Ahmedabad’s literacy rate is 79.89%. This makes it the second highest in Gujarat, just behind Gandhinagar at 87.11%. Among men, 87.81% can read and write, while 71.12% of women are literate. According to the census for the Ninth Plan, there are 30,737 rural families living in Ahmedabad. Of those, 5.41% (1663 families) live below the poverty line. Approximately 440,000 people live in slums within the city. Ahmedabad has many Vanias, who are traders. They belong to the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism and different Jain sects. Most of the residents of Ahmedabad are native Gujaratis. Over 12% of the population is Muslim, numbering over 600,000 in the 2001 census. In addition, the city is home to some 2000 Parsis and some 125 members of the Bene Israel Jewish community. There is also one synagogue in the city. In 2008, there were 2273 registered non-resident Indians living in Ahmedabad.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) is run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. It operates the public bus service in Ahmedabad. At present, AMTS has 750 buses servicing the city.

Ahmedabad observes a wide range of festivals. Popular celebrations include Uttarayan, a kite-flying day on January 14 and 15. People celebrate Navratri for nine nights by performing Garba. This dance is the most popular folk dance in Gujarat and takes place at venues throughout the city. Deepavali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with lamps in every home. People decorate floors with rangoli and light firecrackers. Other religious festivals such as Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid ul-Fitr and Christmas are also celebrated. The annual Rath Yatra happens on the Ashadh-sud-bij date in the Hindu calendar. The Tajia procession takes place during the Muslim holy month of Muharram. Both events are very important.

Ahmedabad Railway Station (ADI) is a major station on Western Railway and one of the busiest stations in the country.

AMC started the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project. The goal is to enhance the environment and help rehabilitate slums for people living by the riverbanks.

Archaeological finds show that people lived around Ahmedabad since the 11th century. Back then, it was called Ashaval (or Ashapalli). Karandev I was the Solanki ruler of Anhilwara (now Patan). He fought and won against the Bhil king of Ashaval. Then, he founded a city named Karnavati by the Sabarmati River. The Solanki rule continued until the 13th century. Then, Gujarat fell to the Vaghela dynasty of Dholka. In the 14th century, the Delhi Sultanate took control of Gujarat. In the early 15th century, Zafar Khan Muzaffar, the local governor, declared independence from the Delhi Sultanate. He crowned himself Sultan of Gujarat as Muzaffar Shah I. This marked the start of the Muzaffarid dynasty. In 1411 A.D., his grandson, Sultan Ahmed Shah, took control of Karnavati. He renamed the city Ahmedabad after himself.

Broadcasting tower of the Ahmedabad Doordarshan, one of the prominent landmarks in Ahmedabad

By 1960, Ahmedabad was a bustling metropolis. Classical and colonial European buildings lined the city’s streets. It was chosen as the capital of Gujarat state after the bifurcation of the State of Bombay on 1 May 1960.
During this time, many educational and research institutions opened in the city. This made Ahmedabad a hub for higher education, science, and technology. The city’s economy also grew more diverse with the rise of heavy and chemical industries. In 1974, the Nav Nirman agitation started. It was a protest against a 20% hike in hostel food fees at L.D. College of Engineering. It quickly became a movement to remove Chimanbhai Patel, the chief minister of Gujarat at that time.
In the 1980s, a reservation policy was introduced, sparking anti-reservation protests in 1981 and 1985. These protests led to violent clashes among various castes. On 26 January 2001, a powerful earthquake struck near Bhuj, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale. Fifty multistorey buildings collapsed. This disaster killed 752 people and badly damaged the city’s infrastructure.
The next year, violence erupted between Hindus and Muslims in Ahmedabad. The city was paralyzed for more than two months. This crisis resulted in about 2,000 deaths across the state. Thousands of Muslims were displaced, leading to the creation of refugee camps around the city.

Cricket is one of the popular sports in the city. Sardar Patel Stadium (also known as Motera Stadium), built in 1982, hosts both one day internationals and test matches. It has a seating capacity of 54,000. It hosted the 1987, 1996 and 2011 Cricket World Cups. Ahmedabad also has a second cricket stadium at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Sports Club of Gujarat which is the home ground of the Gujarat cricket team that plays in the Ranji Trophy tournament. The city is represented by the Ahmedabad Rockets in the Indian Cricket League.

Cricket is one of the popular sports in the city. Sardar Patel Stadium, or Motera Stadium, was built in 1982. It hosts one day internationals and test matches. It has a seating capacity of 54,000. It hosted the 1987, 1996 and 2011 Cricket World Cups. Ahmedabad has a second cricket stadium at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Sports Club of Gujarat. This stadium is the home ground for the Gujarat cricket team. They compete in the Ranji Trophy tournament. The city is represented by the Ahmedabad Rockets in the Indian Cricket League.

Geet Sethi, a five-time winner of the World Professional Billiards Championship and a recipient of India’s highest sporting award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, is from Ahmedabad.

In 1487, Mahmud Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, fortified the city with an outer wall 10 km (6.2 mi) in circumference and consisting of twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000 battlements. In 1535 Humayun briefly occupied Ahmedabad after capturing Champaner when the ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, fled to Diu. Ahmedabad was then reoccupied by the Muzaffarid dynasty until 1573 when Gujarat was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar. During the Mughal reign, Ahmedabad became one of the Empire’s thriving centres of trade, mainly in textiles, which were exported as far as Europe. The Mughal ruler Shahjahan spent the prime of his life in the city, sponsoring the construction of the Moti Shahi Mahal in Shahibaug. The Deccan Famine of 1630–32 affected the city, as did famines in 1650 and 1686. Ahmedabad remained the provincial headquarters of the Mughals until 1758, when they surrendered the to the Marathas.

In 2001, the Central Pollution Control Board ranked Ahmedabad as India’s most polluted city out of 85 cities. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board offered auto rickshaw drivers 10,000. This incentive aims to convert 37,733 auto rickshaws in Ahmedabad to cleaner compressed natural gas. The goal is to reduce pollution. As a result, in 2008, Ahmedabad was ranked as 50th most polluted city in India.

In 2010, Forbes magazine named Ahmedabad the fastest-growing city in India. It was also third in the world, following Chengdu and Chongqing in China. In 2011, it was rated India’s best mega city to live in by leading market research firm IMRB.

In the 19th century, the textile and garments industry received strong capital investment. On 30 May 1861, Ranchhodlal Chhotalal started the first Indian textile mill. It was called the Ahmedabad Spinning and Weaving Company Limited. After that, he set up more mills, like Calico Mills, Bagicha Mills, and Arvind Mills. By 1905 there were about 33 textile mills in the city. The textile industry grew quickly during the First World War. It also gained from Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement, which encouraged people to buy Indian-made products. Ahmedabad was known as the “Manchester of the East”, due to its textile industry. The city is India’s biggest denim supplier. It also ranks among the top exporters of gemstones and jewelry.

The L D Institute of Indology holds around 76,000 Jain manuscripts. This includes 500 illustrated versions and 45,000 printed books. It has the largest collection of Jain scripts and Indian artworks. You can find sculptures, terracottas, and miniature paintings there. The collection also features cloth paintings, painted scrolls, bronzes, and woodwork. Additionally, it includes Indian coins, textiles, and decorative art. Also, there are paintings by Rabindranath Tagore and works from Nepal and Tibet. The N C Mehta Gallery of Miniature Paintings has a stunning collection. It features ornate miniature paintings and manuscripts from across India.

Lal Bahadur Shastri lake in Bapunagar is coming up on an area of 136,000 sq metres. Another 34 lakes are planned in and around Ahmedabad of which 5 lakes will be developed by AMC and the rest 29 will be developed by AUDA.

Manek Chowk is open square near the centre of the city that functions as a vegetable market in the morning and a jewellery market in the afternoon. However, it is better known for its food stalls in the evening, which sell various local street food. It is named after the Hindu saint Baba Maneknath.

Map of Ahmedabad, depicted in a miniature style painting on a cloth, circa 19th century

National Highway 8 connects Delhi to Mumbai. It passes through Ahmedabad and links Gandhinagar, Delhi, and Mumbai. The National Highway 8C also links Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar. It is connected to Vadodara through National Expressway 1, a 94 km (58 mi) long expressway with only two exits. This expressway is part of the Golden Quadrilateral project.

Nehru Bridge is one of the nine bridges on the river Sabarmati that connect the two physically separated eastern and western regions.

Ahmedabad is served by a diverse range of newspapers in multiple languages. Hindi dailies such as Herald Young Leader and Metro Herald are widely read across the city.

In Ahmedabad, you can find several English newspapers, such as:

The Times of India

Indian Express

DNA

The Economic Times

The Financial Express

For readers in regional languages, popular publications include Divya Bhaskar, Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, Sukan Samachar, Rajasthan Patrika, Sambhaav, Aankhodekhi, and Metro. The city also takes pride in being home to the historic Navajivan Publishing House, founded in 1919 by Mahatma Gandhi.

On July 26, 2008, seventeen bomb blasts hit the city. Many people died or got hurt. Islamic militant group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami claimed responsibility for the attacks.

A typical meal in Ahmedabad is the Gujarati thali. It includes roti, dal, rice, and shaak, which are cooked vegetables, often with curry. You also get pickles and roasted papads on the side. Beverages include buttermilk and tea; sweet dishes include laddoo, mango, and vedhmi. There are many restaurants, which serve a wide array of Indian and international cuisines. Most food outlets in the city serve only vegetarian dishes. This is due to a strong tradition of vegetarianism upheld by the Jain and Hindu communities, rooted in their religious beliefs. The first all-vegetarian Pizza Hut in the world opened in Ahmedabad. KFC has a special uniform for serving vegetarian dishes. It also cooks vegetarian food in a separate kitchen. McDonald’s does the same. Ahmedabad has several restaurants that serve Mughlai non-vegetarian food. You can find them in older areas like Bhatiyar Gali, Kalupur, and Jamalpur. The old city has few bakeries known for making very good Naan(Indian Bread) and Nankhataies(Indian cookies).

Ahmedabad has several important educational institutions. These include:

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, the top business school in India (Business Today).

Gujarat National Law University.

Adani Institute of Infrastructure Management.

National Institute of Design.

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.

Mudra Institute of Communications.

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.

B.J. Medical College.

NHL Municipal Medical College.

Ahmedabad Management Association.

Center for Environmental Planning and Technology.

L.D. College of Engineering.

Vishwakarma Government Engineering College.

Many national academic and scientific institutions were founded in the 1960s. This includes the Physical Research Laboratory and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Astrophysicist Vikram Sarabhai played a key role in their establishment.

Other popular sports are field hockey, badminton, tennis, squash and golf. Ahmedabad currently has three golf courses. Mithakhali Multi Sports Complex is being developed by the AMC to promote various indoor sports. Recently Ahmedabad hosted national level games for roller skating and table tennis. Kart racing is gaining popularity in the city, with the introduction of a 380 meter long track based on Formula One concepts.

Parthiv Patel, a cricketer who has been a member of the Indian cricket team a number of times and currently plays for the SunRisers Hyderabad.

Parts of Ahmedabad are known for their folk art. The artisans at Rangeela pol create tie-dyed bandhinis. Meanwhile, the cobblers in Madhupura sell traditional mojdi (or mojri) footwear. Idols of Ganesha and other religious icons are made in huge numbers in the Gulbai Tekra area. The shops at the Law Garden are famous for their mirror work handicraft.

The Sabarmati Marathon takes place every year from December to January. It includes several categories: a full marathon, a half marathon, a 7 km dream run, a 5 km run for the visually impaired, and a 5 km wheelchair run. In 2011, more than 8000 persons including 73 foreigners took part in marathon. In 2007, Ahmedabad hosted the 51st national level shooting games. Ahmedabad Racquet Academy is a professional tennis academy that provides world-class training.

Sardar Patel Stadium, a cricket stadium with 54,000 capacity, in Motera, Ahmedabad

Schools in Ahmedabad are run by the municipal corporation or private entities, trusts, and corporations. Most schools are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. Some are part of other boards.

These include:

Central Board for Secondary Education

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations

International Baccalaureate

National Institute of Open Schooling

Many colleges in the city are linked to Gujarat University. Other deemed universities in Ahmedabad include Nirma University of Science & Technology and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University. The Gujarat Vidyapith was founded in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi without a charter from the British Raj and became a deemed university in 1963.

Shreyas Foundation have four different museums on same campus. Shreyas Folk Museum(Lokayatan Museum) have art forms and artefacts from various communities of Gujarat. The Kalpana Mangaldas Children’s Museum features toys, puppets, and dance costumes. It also features drama costumes, coins, and recorded music from traditional shows worldwide. Kahani houses photographs of different fairs and festivals of Gujarat. Sangeeta Vadyakhand is a gallary of musical instruments from India and other Countries.

Almost half of all real estate in Ahmedabad belongs to “community organisations” like cooperatives. Prof. Vrajlal Sapovadia from the B.K. School of Business Management says these organisations help shape the city’s growth. Ahmedabad Cantonment also provides residential zones for Indian Army officials.

Some of the most popular and visited gardens in the city are Law Garden, Victoria Garden and Bal Vatika. Victoria Garden is located at the southern edge of the Bhadra Fort and contains a statue of Queen Victoria. Law Garden was named after the College of Law situated close to it. Other main gardens in the city are Parimal Garden, Usmanpura Garden, Prahlad Nagar Garden and Lal Darwaja Garden. Kamla Nehru Zoological Park in Ahmedabad is home to many endangered species. You can find flamingoes, caracals, Asiatic wolves, and chinkara there.

The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange located in the Ambavadi area of the city is India’s second oldest stock exchange. Two of the biggest pharmaceutical companies of India—Zydus Cadila and Torrent Pharmaceuticals — are based in the city. The Nirma group operates many detergent and chemical factories. Its corporate headquarters is in the city. The city is home to the Adani Group’s headquarters. This is a multinational company that focuses on trading and infrastructure development.

The architecture of Ahmedabad ranges from the ancient to the very modern. Early in the city’s history, under Ahmed Shah, builders fused Hindu craftsmanship with Persian architecture, giving rise to the Indo-Saracenic style. Many mosques in the city were built in this fashion. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Gujarat. The mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat. It is entirely arcuated and it has ten stone latticework windows (jalis) on the side and rear arches. Private mansions (Haveli) from this era have unique carvings and can be seen in the ancient pol (narrow streets) of Ahmedabad.

The automobile industry is also important to the city; after Tata’s Nano project, Ford and Suzuki are planning to establish plants near Ahmedabad while the groundbreaking ceremony for Peugeot has already been performed.

The city has many Hindus, Muslims, and Jains. Their cultures are important here. Religious festivals and delicious food shape the city’s culture. Cricket is a popular sport in Ahmedabad, and the Sardar Patel Stadium is situated within the city. In 2012, The Times of India chose Ahmedabad as the best city to live in India.

The city is divided into 5 zones constituting 64 wards.

Ahmedabad District has several talukas (administrative divisions). These include:

Ahmedabad taluka

Barwala

Dholka

Dhandhuka

Detroj

Sanand

Bavla

Ranpur

Mandal

Viramgam

Daskroi

The city is the administrative center of Ahmedabad district. It is also the judicial capital of Gujarat because the Gujarat High Court is here. India’s fifth largest city has over 5.8 million people. Its metro area has around 6.3 million residents. Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, 32 km (20 mi) from the state capital Gandhinagar.

The city’s suburban areas are administered by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). The city has two elected members in the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. It also has 19 members in the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, the state assembly.

In the 2010 Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections, the results were:

BJP: 148 seats

Congress: 38 seats

Independent: 3 seats

The effects of liberalisation of the Indian economy has energised the city’s economy towards tertiary sector activities like commerce, communication and construction activities. Ahmedabad’s population is growing, which has resulted in an increase in the construction and housing industries.

The Fedara International Airport is also a proposed international airport near Fedara. This airport will be the largest airport in India with a total area of 7,500 hectares.

The state government will set up a 2 billion company for the execution of the project. The company is likely to be named the Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA).

The gross domestic product of Ahmedabad was estimated at $59 billion in 2010. The RBI ranked Ahmedabad as the eighth largest deposit centre and seventh largest credit centre nationwide as of June 2012.

The Gujarat High Court is housed in a magnificent structure located at Sola Road, Ahmedabad.

The Gujarat High Court is located in the Ahmedabad, making the city the judicial capital of Gujarat. The Ahmedabad City Police keeps law enforcement and public safety. The Police Commissioner, an IPS officer, leads the force. Health services are primarily provided at Ahmedabad civil hospital, the largest civil hospital in Asia. Torrent Power Limited generates and distributes electricity in the city. It is owned by the Ahmedabad Electricity Company, which used to be a state-run corporation. Ahmedabad is one of the few cities in India, where the power sector is privatised.

The Indian independence movement took shape in the city when Mahatma Gandhi set up two ashrams. The Kochrab Ashram opened near Paldi in 1915. Then, in 1917, he founded the Satyagraha Ashram, now known as Sabarmati Ashram, by the Sabarmati River. These ashrams became key centers for nationalist activities. In 1919, textile workers protested the Rowlatt Act by burning 51 government buildings. People were upset about Britain’s effort to keep wartime rules after World War I. In the 1920s, textile workers and teachers struck for civil rights, better pay, and improved working conditions. In 1930, Gandhi initiated the Salt Satyagraha from Ahmedabad by embarking from his ashram on the Dandi Salt March. In the early 1930s, many people took to the streets in peaceful protests. This rendered the city’s administration and economic institutions inoperative. Again, in 1942, the Quit India movement caused similar disruptions. After India gained independence and was partitioned in 1947, the city suffered from severe violence between Hindus and Muslims.

The man-made Lake Kankaria, built in 1451 AD, is one of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad. In earlier days, it used to be known by the name Qutub Hoj or Hauj-e-Kutub. It has an approximate circumference of 1.4 miles (2.3 km) and 34 sides, and is located in the southern part of the city in Maninagar. Vastrapur Lake is in western part of Ahmedabad.

The Sabarmati frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water, and the city is located in a sandy and dry area. The steady expansion of the Rann of Kutch threatens to increase desertification around the city area and much of the state. Except for the small hills of Thaltej-Jodhpur Tekra, the city is almost flat. Two lakes are within the city’s limits—Kankaria Lake and Vastrapur Lake. Kankaria lake, in the neighbourhood of Maninagar, is an artificial lake developed by the Sultan of Delhi, Qutb-ud-din Aybak, in 1451. The Bureau of Indian Standards classifies the town as seismic zone-III. This scale ranges from I to V, with V being the most vulnerable to earthquakes. The Sabarmati River divides Ahmedabad into two distinct areas: the east and the west. The eastern bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the central town of Bhadra. This part of Ahmedabad is characterised by packed bazaars, the pol system of close clustered buildings, and numerous places of worship. It houses the main railway station, the General Post Office, and few buildings of the Muzaffarid and British eras. During the colonial period, the city expanded west of the Sabarmati River. This growth was helped by the building of Ellis Bridge in 1875 and the newer Nehru Bridge. The western part of the city includes schools, modern buildings, homes, shopping malls, and multiplexes. New business districts line roads like Ashram Road, C. G. Road, and the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway.

The Sanskar Kendra is a museum in Ahmedabad, designed by Le Corbusier. It showcases the city’s history, art, culture, and architecture. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial have permanent displays. These include photographs, documents, and other items about Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. The Calico Museum of Textiles has a large collection of Indian and international fabrics, garments and textiles. The Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah Library has a collection of rare original manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sindhi and Turkish. There is Vechaar Utensils Museum which have utensils of stainless steel, glass, brass, copper, bronze, zinc and German silver.

The Sardar Sarovar Project of dams and canals has improved the supply of potable water and electricity for the city. Recently, the Gujarat government has boosted investment in the city’s infrastructure. This includes building larger roads and enhancing water supply, electricity, and communications. The IT industry in Ahmedabad has grown a lot. For example, Tata Consultancy Services has opened an office there. In 2002, a NASSCOM survey ranked Ahmedabad fifth in the “Super Nine Indian Destinations” for IT-enabled services. This list included the top nine most competitive cities in India. The city’s schools and factories draw students and skilled workers from across India.

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city centre. It serves both domestic and international flights to and from Ahmedabad and the neighbouring cities of Surendranagar, Mehsana, and Nadiad. The airport connects the city with destinations across India. The airport is located 8 km (5.0 mi) from the Ahmedabad Railway Station. It is named after statesman and former Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The airport is spread over an area of 928.59 acres (3.7579 km2) with the runway measuring 11,500 ft (3,505 m). It is the busiest airport in Gujarat, and the eighth busiest in India with an average of 250 aircraft movements a day. In 2008 the airport served 5,372,259 passengers. It is expected to handle six million passengers in 2010 and nine million in 2012, including both domestic and international passengers. Nearly all domestic airlines serve Ahmedabad, as do several international ones. A new international terminal costing of 2,910 million was built in 2010 to handle increased international air traffic.

The state-owned All India Radio Ahmedabad is broadcast both on the medium wave and FM bands (96.7 MHz) in the city. It competes with five private local FM stations: Radio City (91.1 MHz), Red FM (93.5 MHz), My fm (94.3 MHz), Radio One (95.0 MHz), Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz). Gyan Vani (104.5 MHz) is an educational FM radio station run under media co-operation model. In March 2012 Gujarat University started campus radio service on 90.8 MHz which was first kind of it in state and fifth in India.

Doordarshan, the state-owned TV broadcaster, offers free terrestrial channels. Two multi-system operators, InCablenet and Siti Cable, offer a variety of channels. They broadcast in Gujarati, Hindi, English, and other regional languages through cable. Telephone services come from landline and mobile operators. These are BSNL, Reliance CDMA, Reliance GSM, Airtel, Uninor, Docomo, Videocon, Aircel, Vodafone, Idea, MTS India, and Tata Indicom.

Ahmedabad was part of the Bombay Presidency during British rule. Still, it stayed one of the key cities in Gujarat. The city established itself as the home of a developing textile industry, which earned it the nickname Manchester of the East. The city led the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century. It was a center for civil disobedience. It backed farmers’ and workers’ rights, plus civil rights and political freedom.

Upcoming GIDC of Sanand, Ahmedabad is shaping into potentially the biggest GIDC of Gujarat.

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