Vijayawada: Gandhi Hill to get a face lift

Vijayawada: After many long years of neglect, Gandhi Hill would finally get a face lift as the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has decided to spend Rs 2 crore to develop the historical monument. Gandhi Hill is one of the important tourist attractions of the city for more than 60 years. Unfortunately, it was totally neglected by both the State and the Central Governments since 1990.

When K Chiranjeevi was the Union Minister of State for Tourism, he announced Rs.5 crore for the development of Gandhi Hill. But, the grants were not released for its development. Gandhi museum, planetarium and train atop the hillock were the main attractions of the city for a long time.

The planetarium has been defunct for more than two decades as equipment were out of date and not in working condition for a long time. Earlier, hundreds of visitors used to visit the planetarium from different parts of South India. Neither the State nor the Central government have recognised the value of the planetarium and neglected in renovating it. Gandhi museum, which had a collection of beautiful and historical pictures of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters has also been in the state of neglect for more than three decades.

Gandhi Hill Foundation, an NGO, had taken the responsibility of its maintenance. Now, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has decided to renovate the planetarium, develop the botanical garden, take up repairs to the toy train which was a special attraction to the city.

Visitors could have bird's eye view of Vijayawada city with the Toy train which circulates around the hill. However, the train toy was also out of order and train ride is a distant memory of the denizens of Vijayawada.

E Shivanagi Reddy, CEO, Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati and historian has said the Gandhi Hill memorial was built and developed in memory of Mahatma Gandhi who visited Vijayawada city six times. He said the planetarium and toy train were installed in subsequent years. He hoped Gandhi Hill will regain its glory with the face lift given by the VMC.

Till 1980s, a light and sound programme was conducted on the hill and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi were preached with the help of loud speakers.

District Collector Mohommad Imtiaz has recently visited Gandhi hill and announced that it would get face lift. The Collector is the special officer of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. Municipal Commissioner Venkatesh Prasanna is taking initiative to give face lift to the Gandhi hill. An Executive Engineer, who was will supervise the development works, said the Gandhi Hill foundation has already handed over the responsibility of maintenance of Gandhi hill.