Gujarat: IP Gautam to Head Gandhi Ashram Redevelopment Project

Parijat Tripathi

In a key move concerning one of Gujarat’s most prestigious heritage initiatives, the state government has appointed retired IAS officer Dr. I.P. Gautam to both the Governing Council and Executive Council of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development Project. He replaces senior bureaucrat K. Kailashnathan, marking a crucial leadership transition in this Rs 2,000-crore redevelopment initiative, which is personally overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and regarded as a legacy project under his stewardship.

Dr. Gautam will also assume Kailashnathan’s position on the Governing Council of the Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Memorial Trust, strengthening his central role in steering the project that carries immense historical and national importance.

Veteran Urban Administrator with Deep Ties to Ahmedabad

A 1986-batch IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, Dr. I.P. Gautam brings more than four decades of administrative experience, with a distinguished track record in urban governance and infrastructure development. He is known for his results-driven approach and ability to deliver complex civic projects efficiently.

Currently serving as Chairman of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), a post he will continue to hold until 2027, Dr. Gautam has previously led major urban initiatives as Managing Director of the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (2013–2019) and Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department (2011–2013). His tenure as Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner from 2006 to 2011 saw transformative upgrades in the city’s infrastructure landscape.

At the national level, Dr. Gautam has served as a Member of the Lokpal of India, further underlining his credibility in public governance and institutional accountability.

Educational Background and Policy Insight

Dr. Gautam holds a Master’s degree from Gorakhpur University, an LL.B. from Lucknow University (1980), and a Ph.D. from CEPT University, Ahmedabad (2017–18). This strong academic foundation, combined with extensive field experience, equips him to balance heritage conservation with modern development as the project nears its crucial execution phase.

Smooth Transition and Strategic Continuity

Dr. Gautam succeeds K. Kailashnathan, a close confidant of Prime Minister Modi, who was instrumental during the project’s initial stages—particularly in coordinating the relocation of affected families. After being appointed Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry last year, Kailashnathan retained his involvement in the Ashram redevelopment but is now stepping back due to increased responsibilities.

With the project advancing into a decisive phase, the government has turned to Dr. Gautam—a respected and capable hand aligned with the Centre’s vision—to ensure timely and effective delivery.

A senior official involved in the initiative remarked, “Dr. Gautam’s unparalleled experience in urban planning and his intimate knowledge of Ahmedabad make him the ideal leader to carry this project forward.”

Expanded Oversight for the Project

To bolster institutional governance, the Gujarat government has also appointed the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary of the Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities Department to both the Governing and Executive Councils of the Gandhi Ashram redevelopment project.

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