Ambedkar Smruti Vanam in Vijayawada is facing major maintenance issues. The 206 feet tall statue, built at a cost of Rs. 400 crore has become a financial burden for the local administration. Officials are now planning to hand over the upkeep of the memorial to private entities under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Launched during the YSRCP government, the project remains incomplete even a year after its inauguration. Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy unveiled the statue in January 2024. Located at the heart of the city, the statue stands on an 80-feet pedestal within PWD Grounds. It was intended to serve as a symbol of social justice.
Monthly maintenance of the site costs around Rs. 21 lakh.But the revenue from entry tickets and visitors is less than Rs. 5 lakh per month. This huge gap between expenses and earnings has forced the authorities to explore other options. NTR district officials are now inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) bids to outsource its management.
Earlier, media reports exposed the government’s plans to involve private players. At the time, the district administration denied those claims. But now, the situation has changed. The incomplete work and high costs are driving this shift in approach.
During the previous TDP regime, plans were made to develop the area with foreign partnerships. A wide space in the city with good parking was considered an opportunity to generate revenue. Designs were prepared for commercial use, but those plans were never executed.
The memorial has facilities like an auditorium, museum and conference halls. These can host government events and reduce spending on private venues. Renting out the space for private functions is another way to boost income.But there has been no solid move in that direction.
Recently, District Collector Lakshmisha confirmed the government’s plan to call for tenders. This announcement drew criticism. CPM and other public organizations demanded the cancellation of PPP proposals. They want the government to complete the project and maintain it with public funds.
Also on Ambedkar Jayanthi this year, no official celebrations were held at the site. The silence from government circles added to the growing public concern.
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