Gandhi Hills restored to its past glory -- with new attractions

VIJAYAWADA: The iconic and historical Gandhi Hill reopened after a long time here. Also restored there is its special attraction, the mini train that takes the rounds of the hill in slow ascends and descends.

This is the one and only hill that is known after Mahatma Gandhi – and with a memorial. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and the Gandhi Hill Foundation jointly took up the development and restoration works and inaugurated an entertainment zone and play zone for children.

Gandhi Hill had doubled as a historical entity and a recreation centre in the city for a long time until it was closed some years ago. It has been reopened after the completion of a modernization project.  

As per history, Captain Charles Alexander Orr supervised the construction of the anicut on River Krishna here in 1852, which was later modernized as Praksam Barrage. Alexander Orr used to stay on the hill adjacent to Vijayawada railway station and it came to be known as Orr hill.

Mahatma Gandhi visited the hill several times while he came to Vijayawada and conducted AICC meetings on the hill; and later, freedom fighters gave Gandhi’s name to Orr hill. It gained fame across India as this is the only hill in the Mahatma’s name -- with a mini train to add to the charms of the hill now. 

The developmental works of Gandhi Hill started seven years ago but did not progress for years. The state government turned its attention to it before the Corona crisis and directed VMC and the Gandhi Hill Foundation to complete the works. The Covid19 came as a dampener.

After the pandemic scenario improved, the VMC has taken up various works to restore the hill its old glory. It cleared all the trees grown along the pathway to the hill, from the entrance till the hill-top. The train that went round the hill, which enabled the people have a glimpse of the whole city, is back in running mode. 

The mini-train is colorfully painted with attractive colours. A play zone has also been introduced for children who visit the hill. Besides, the hill is beautifully decorated with lightings. The Gandhi Stupa is specially decorated with focus lights to attract visitors.

The Gandhi Memorial Library area is also cleaned for visitors and a greenery development was also done. 

VMC commissioner Prasanna Venkatesh said VMC is taking special care to develop Gandhi Hill as a tourist destination. He said the mini-train called as Gandhi Hill Train, the photo gallery, the library, the lighting and sound system, as well as the children-friendly equipment are sure to be a big draw.

Venkatesh said the Heritage Train, which was started by Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1965, has undergone necessary repairs. More works are in progress to bring in a planetarium, a children’s park and cultural programmes to add to the attractions of Gandhi Hill.

Visitors Bhanu and Venu were among those who were enthused at the changes in the Gandhi Hill. They said, ”We can view entire Vijayawada city by traveling in the mini-train to the hilltop, and down, as it takes rounds of the hill.

Welcoming the development, some enthusiasts pleaded for the start of an exhibition on the Mahatma’s visit to Gandhi Hill and Vijayawada to educate the present and future generations about the historical importance of Gandhi Hill.