DRDA – District Rural Development Authority (DRDA)
District Rural Development Authority (DRDA), Ahmedabad was created originally to implement the Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP). Subsequently the DRDA was entrusted with a number of programs of both state and central governments. One such program is Vrundavan Gam Yojna which was launched by Ex-Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani in the year 2017-18 with a view to improve quality of life in rural Gujarat. Under this Yojna, a specific amount was allotted for infrastructural development of 250 villages.
DRDA made a conscious decision to involve academic institutions as it wanted future architects to get a public exposure and develop practical skills of the students making them responsible architects of the future. The main motive behind it was to have a primary survey to study infrastructural gap analysis and determine the infrastructural deficits in them. The colleges were to design the infrastructure that was not there and provide a design report along with an estimate. DRDA selected 13 villages in Ahmedabad District which are Lilapur, Bhoyani, Aakru, Otariya, Bhadiyad, Arnnege, Rampur (Dholka), Ranoda-Sekhdi, Chaloda, Rajoda, Hansalpur, Gorieya and Rampur (Sanand).
SAL School of Architecture was first amongst all the colleges to complete the work in time of just 6 months and submit it.