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Gandhinagar

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Gandhinagar is the capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as a major political hub for the entire region. The city sits on the west bank of the Sabarmati River. Geographically, it is located in north-central-east Gujarat. It lies approximately north of the city of Ahmedabad. The city is positioned within an industrial corridor. This corridor sits between the megacities of Delhi and Mumbai.

Dinosaurs Park
Dinosaurs Park

The city was a carefully planned project developed during the 1960s. The planners wanted to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise. This decision was partly because Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. The city's name, which means "Gandhi's city," honors his legacy. Two Indian town planners led the design process. They were H. K. Mewada and Prakash M. Apte. Mewada was a graduate of Cornell University. Both men had apprenticed with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh.

Gandhinagar is known for its unique environment and lush landscape. It is often called India's tree capital. This is because 54% of its land area has green cover. The city experiences a hot semi-arid climate, which is known as Köppen BSh. This climate features three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. During the summer, the weather is generally dry and hot. From March to May, maximum temperatures can be very high. The Sabarmati River often dries up during these summer months. It may leave only a small stream of water behind.

The monsoon season changes the atmosphere of the city. From mid-June to mid-September, the southwest monsoon brings a humid climate. The average annual rainfall in the area is around 816 mm. Winter brings a different feeling to the region. From December to February, the days are often pleasant. However, the nights can be quite chilling. The average maximum temperature is around 32.5°C, while the average minimum is 15.4°C. The climate remains extremely dry outside of the monsoon period.

Demographic data provides a detailed look at the people living in Gandhinagar. According to the census of India, the population was 208,299. Within this group, males make up 53% and females make up 47%. The city has a very high average literacy rate of 90%. Specifically, male literacy is 91% and female literacy is 89%. About 11% of the population is under six years of age. Additionally, over 95% of the population are Hindus. The city also contains the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park.

Dinosaurs Park
Dinosaurs Park

Transportation connects Gandhinagar to the rest of the country. The Gandhinagar Capital railway station is located in Sector 14. Several trains pass through this station, including three express trains and two MEMU trains. Notable services include the Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath and the Shanti Express. For longer distances, the Ahmedabad Railway Station is only 25 km away. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is 18 km from the city. It provides both domestic and international flights. Furthermore, a metro network is currently being constructed. This project, known as Phase II of the Ahmedabad Metro, will connect Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad. A 22.8 km network is being built to link these areas. A branch line will also connect the GNLU station to GIFT City.

Governance and military presence are also important parts of the city. Gandhinagar is a central location for the politics of Gujarat. The state of Gujarat was created on 1 May 1960. It was formed from 17 northern districts of the former State of Bombay. The city also holds significant strategic importance. It is situated near the west command post of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. A command centre is also located within the city. Recently, the Gujarat State Emergency Disaster Management centre was developed here. The city also hosts the Akshardham temple and the Gujarat National Law University.

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