A year has been completed since AP CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for India’s tallest Ambedkar statue at the Swaraj Maidan, but the project has not taken off yet. The ‘Ambedkar Smrithi Vanam’ is coming up right in the heart of Vijayawada on a sprawling 20 acres, with the centre of attraction being a 125-ft tall statue of Ambedkar. A memorial building, a library, a study centre and an open-air theatre is also being planned.
Completion by April…
Though CM YS Jagan is resolute to complete the statue at the earliest, officials are reluctant to move forward. Recently, in a review meeting held at his camp office, the CM directed officials concerned to transfer the land in Swaraj Maidan to the social welfare department from water resources department.
Of the 20 acres, 10.33 acres are empty and 32 buildings of various government offices including the water resources department stand on remaining land. Around five top officials who are tasked with inspection of Krishna Delta Canal are working from one of the offices located at Swaraj Maidan, which has complicated the issue. Without any alternate land to shift offices the authorities are in a fix.
Not a brick laid…
The CM in his latest review meet directed concerned officials to ensure the 125-ft statue is built by April 2021. On the other hand, various government offices located at Swaraj Maidan still needs to be shifted. Meanwhile, a private polytechnic college which was leased two acres of land, has moved to court when asked to vacate the land. The college says it isn’t fair as the lease has not yet expired. Amidst all these disturbances, doubts arise whether the park will be completed or not.
