Sabarmati Ashram redevelopment: Four parties submit offer, govt likely to evaluate bids and allocate work in 10 days

The authorities are expected to do allocation of the same in the next 10 days after evaluating the bids received from the four parties, said the officer, without disclosing the names of the bidders.

The tender is for selection of Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) Agency for curation, content development, exhibit fabrication and outdoor sculpture works for the project.

The officer connected with the project said that the tender is mainly to design and develop exhibitions and museums in the 28-odd buildings being redeveloped or restored in the 55-acre Ashram. The selected firm will give designs of exhibitions for the buildings that will include which part of Mahatma Gandhi’s life will be showcased where and how.

“We have received four bids for the tender which closed last month. Currently, we are evaluating the four bids and will award the tender in around 10 days,” the officer said.

As per the officer, the design plan submitted by the selected firm will be put before an expert committee. The firm will start the work after getting approval from the expert committee. The expert committee is yet to be appointed by the Trust. But it is likely to consist of noted Gandhians or experts on Gandhian philosophy. The selected firm is expected to complete the work in around 18 months. And as per tender condition, it will be responsible for maintaining the works for five years.

Under the project, the MGSAMT had earlier issued several tenders for different works such as the restoration of old buildings, construction of the boundary wall for the campus and external infrastructure development including civil, mechanical, electrical and fire fighting among others. The MGSAMT is a trust established by the Gujarat government to implement the project, which is a joint effort of the state government and the Centre. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is the chair-person of the Governing Council of the trust whereas, retired IAS officer I P Gautam is the chairperson of the executive council of the trust. CM Patel had recently visited the Ashram to inspect the ongoing works under the project.