The Statue of Unity at Kevadia, Science City and Sabarmati Riverfront at Ahmedabad and Mahatma Mandir, a convention centre, at Gandhingar—Gujarat boasts of many a modern architectural marvels.
On Sunday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates to the nation 'Smruti Van' in Bhuj, in border district Kutch, it will be yet another architectural attraction in the state. In memory of the 2001 earthquake victims of Gujarat, the Smruti Van, located on the famous Bhujiyo Dungar (Mountain) is designed by Vastu Shilpa Consultants, headed by noted architect B.V. Doshi.
A brainchild of Modi, who had taken over the reins of Gujarat in October 2001 as the chief minister, the Smruti Van is to be spread over 470 acres. In the first phase, development has been done in over 170 acres.
According to sources, when the idea to set up the Smruti Van came up, Modi had told the designers to plant one tree in memory of each earthquake victim. The epicentre of the earthquake was near Bhuj and more than 13,000 persons had lost lives.
Smruti Van has several attractions, including a theatre in which through a simulator people will get the feeling of an earthquake, museums that are divided into various parts and would highlight the culture and heritage of Kutch, and reservoirs where the names of the victims have been engraved.
There is an eight-km-long pathway, and in the first phase a facility to park over 3,000 vehicles.
The 300-year-old fort on the mountain has been renovated and the place is expected to be an added tourist destination for the people who visit Kutch to see the 'White Desert'.
The theatre and the museums have been designed in such a manner that it would give insights of geology to students.
The project cost has yet not been made official.
