Gandhi Hill Foundation members recently interacted with NTR regional collector Lakshmisha on the top of Vijayawada. |Picture source: File Photo
After years of neglect, Gandhi Hill, one of Vijayawada’s most iconic landmarks, will undergo a major revival with the Andhra Pradesh government to clear the deck for a comprehensive renovation project aimed at restoring the historic site to its former glory.
Above Gandhi Hill is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the first built after being assassinated in 1948 to commemorate the father of the country.
However, in recent years, the monument and its surrounding infrastructure have lost its imbalance.
“Gandhi Hill is worth mentioning. We are developing a comprehensive plan to integrate the location into an iconic international tourist destination,” Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Chairman of Gandhi PC Kaza told Kaza Hindu Saturday.
Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi was founded in 2017 in 2017 and the state nominated a new committee of the Gandhi Mountain Foundation (GHF), which met on May 8 in Gandhi Mountain.
NTR regional collectors G. Lakshmisha and specialists from Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) HM Dhyanachandra also participated in Ex officials to review the current status of the site.
The Committee met with GHF Secretary Y. Ramachandra Rao and 11 other nominated members under the Chairman of Mr. Gandhi, including Jandhyala Sankar, Raavi Sarada, I. PrasadaRaju, Rashmi Samaram and GV Mohan Prasad. Members decide to develop this important position in a phased manner.
“In Phase I (2025-2027), our priority is to improve the basic convenience and landscaping of the main arches at the entrance point.” Mr Gandhi said the plan included green and landscapes from the entrance to the Upa, re-paved into the surrounding children’s play area, and the entire area on the surrounding hills and sorted out the surrounding areas.
GHF plans to use German technology (Gandhi Jayanthi) to transform the planetarium into a major attraction by October 2, 2025. “The restructuring and electrification of mini toy trains will also be taken over because it is the main attraction for children,” he said.
Mr Gandhi said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed with the VMC and other local agencies and industry departments to initiate a collaborative effort to beautify the location.
Mr Gandhi said: “According to the guidance of the social apprentice, the Chief Minister will become the chief patron of the GHF and will advise on the overall development of Mount Gandhi.”
Gandhi Hill was named after it after visiting The Mahatma in 1921 at a party at the foot of the mountain during the struggle for freedom. From here, it is said that Bapu has sent a call to embrace Swadeshi, eliminate the untouchable performance and donate it to Swaraj Koti Nidhi (1 Rs. 1 per person to the Swaraj Fund), which has caused a huge reaction and contributed a huge response.
With the importance of this place, a memorial project was developed. On November 9, 1964, then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri laid the foundation for the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi’s planned Gandhi Memorial and 52 feet. On October 6, 1968, Dr. Zakir Hussain unveiled the memorial.
publishing – May 12, 2025 at 01:03 AM IST
