Overview
Gandhinagar district is an administrative district in the state of Gujarat, India. It takes its name from its headquarters, Gandhinagar, which is also the capital city of Gujarat. The district was carved out of Ahmedabad and Mehsana districts to administer the area surrounding the planned capital city, named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Gujarat |
| Headquarters | Gandhinagar |
| Region | North Gujarat |
| Type | District |
Geography
The district lies in central-northern Gujarat, on the banks of the Sabarmati river. It shares boundaries with Mehsana district to the north, Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts to the north-east, Kheda district to the south-east, and Ahmedabad district to the south and west. The terrain is largely flat alluvial plain, suited to agriculture, with the Sabarmati being the principal watercourse passing through the district.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and is divided into talukas, including Gandhinagar, Kalol, Mansa and Dahegam. The city of Gandhinagar functions as both the district headquarters and the seat of the Government of Gujarat, hosting the Gujarat Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), the Raj Bhavan and the state secretariat at the Sachivalaya complex.
Talukas
- Gandhinagar
- Kalol
- Mansa
- Dahegam
Background and history
Following the bifurcation of Bombay State in 1960 and the creation of Gujarat as a separate state, the need arose for a new capital, as Ahmedabad had served as the temporary seat of government. The site for Gandhinagar, on the western bank of the Sabarmati north of Ahmedabad, was selected for the planned capital. The city was designed in numbered sectors and construction proceeded through the 1960s, with the capital functions shifting from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar in 1970. Gandhinagar district was subsequently constituted to administer the capital region.
Economy
Agriculture remains an important part of the rural economy, with crops such as bajra, wheat, paddy, cotton and tobacco grown in the district. The district is also home to industrial activity around Kalol and along the Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar corridor, including units in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering and ceramics. Gandhinagar city houses the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), a planned business district that hosts India's first International Financial Services Centre.
Education and institutions
The district hosts several institutions of national importance, including:
- Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar), located at Palaj.
- National Institute of Design (NID).
- Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT).
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG).
- Gujarat National Law University (GNLU).
- Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU).
- National Forensic Sciences University.
Culture and landmarks
Notable landmarks in the district include the Akshardham temple complex in Gandhinagar, dedicated to Swaminarayan; the Adalaj Stepwell, a five-storey stepwell built in the late 15th century associated with Queen Rudabai; the Indroda Nature Park, which contains a dinosaur fossil park; and the Mahatma Mandir convention and exhibition centre. Vibrant Gujarat, a biennial global investors' summit, has been hosted at Mahatma Mandir.
Transport
The district is well connected by road, including National Highway 48 and state highways linking it to Ahmedabad, Mehsana and other centres. Gandhinagar Capital railway station serves as the main railway hub. The Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar metro corridor links the capital with Ahmedabad. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the nearest major airport.
Demographics
The district has a mixed urban and rural population, with Gujarati as the principal language. Hinduism is the majority religion, with Muslim, Jain and other communities also present. The district's literacy rate is among the higher rates within Gujarat, reflecting the presence of major educational institutions and the urban character of the capital.