Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-7, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 1578 A Study on Socio-Economic Impact of Sabarmati Riverfront on Life of Displaced Communities Prof. Tana Trivedi 1 , Anisha Parwani 2 , Jayesh Bhatia 3 , Monika Mittal 4 , Harshita Kapoor 5 , Indu Makhija 6 , Kanksha Shah 7 , Prashant Jethwani 8 , Rinkesh Ahuja 9 , Apoorv Bafna 10 , Alifiya Dhandhukawala 11 , Avi Jain 12 & Dipen Udhani 13 1 Faculty, BKMIBA, Ahmedabad University 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 BBA Student, BKMIBA, Ahmedabad University Abstract: Development-Induced displacement have become a common phenomenon in develop- ing countries where in order to facilitate any infrastructure project, Dam project or any Transportation project, there is a huge dis- placement that takes place. With the people who struggles through such displacements suffers a wrath of disturbance that can be seen on the social fabric of their society and economic status of their families. Sabarmati Riverfront had ac- counted a displacement of 11000 such families from the year 2006 to 2010. The displaced fami- lies were relocated to 6 different BSUP sites out of which Vatwa accounted to largest number of relocation. With the R&R policy that talked about a healthy compensation to these urban poor, they suffered from a socio-economic crisis. Formations of places like Hindustan and Paki- stan were also observed in places like Vatwa to places where the majority of people living were Hindus and Muslims. A Municipal politics was also observed during such displacements who insensitively forced involuntary resettlements. It becomes very important for us to understand the socio-economic impact of Sabarmati River- front on the life of such displaced communities. We did a Socio-Economic survey where we also observed the behavioural changes that came into people when they talked about displacements, government, AMC and people they are sur- rounded with. We also did interviews with dif- ferent experts from the field of urban planning, journalism, and legal institutions to get a different view of people regarding such dis- placements. After doing our survey and inter- views, the team across some very astounding findings which is mentioned in our research. Introduction Sabarmati Riverfront: A Brief Introduction The Sabarmati Riverfront has been recognized in the list of ‘100 Most Innovative Projects’ by KPMG, one of the world’s top advisory firms. The reason behind this acclaim is that the River- front plays a very active role towards urban re- generation that makes a city livable, whilst also being sustainable. 'The Sabarmati Riverfront Project is an urban regeneration and environ- ment improvement initiative currently under way in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It involves the rec- lamation of a 10.5 kilometer stretch of the banks of Sabarmati River, creating a new public space for cultural and civic institutions. Along the riv- er, space will be made for recreation use and markets. The aim is to transform the stretch of river from a geographical divider in the middle of the city to a focal point for leisure and recrea- tion’ states the KPMG about the Sabarmati Riverfront ( KPMG, 2012). The project was first proposed by the French architect Bernard Kohn in 1961.The AMC set up the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corpora- tion Ltd. (SRFDCL) in 1997, funded by the cen- tral government. The Project was initiated with a seed capital of 10 million rupees and the project cost was estimated to be $300 million. The pro- ject was supposed to be self-financing, with loans being paid back through the sale of 21% land to the private sector through a bidding pro- cess. (AMC) The Project was planned in such a way that the peak discharge in the Sabarmati could take the water capacity, thereby reducing the chances of floods that could wash away hundreds of hut- ments, with the help of embankments. ( KPMG, 2012) April 2012, landed the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and HUDCO National Award for innovative infrastructure development for the Riverfront Project. It also bagged the Prime