After surviving floods & court cases, Swami Vivekananda Memorial fall prey to NMC neglect The iconic Swami Vivekananda Memorial at Ambazari overflow point, once celebrated as Nagpur's top landmark, stands neglected today. Despite surviving the devastating floods of September 23, 2023, and enduring legal scrutiny in the form of a high court case, the memorial has fallen into disrepair due to poor maintenance and inadequate upkeep. Residents and visitors have expressed concern over its deteriorating condition, which was developed at a cost of over Rs4 crore. The memorial, a towering bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda crafted by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar and his son Anil, was inaugurated in September 2016. The statue, mounted on a 30-foot pedestal, reaches a height of 51 feet above ground level and weighs nearly four tonnes, featuring a stainless-steel internal framework. It was proposed in 2012-13 by then-committee chairman and former mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, who expressed disappointment over its current state. Tiwari urged the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to take immediate restoration steps, stating, "The memorial is one of Nagpur's most recognised landmarks. It is unfortunate to see it in such a condition." A visit to the site revealed broken stone railings, littered pathways, cracked tiles, and decaying infrastructure. Shockingly, empty beer bottles were also found strewn around the structure. While instances of vandalism and irresponsible behavior by visitors have contributed to the deterioration, residents claim the NMC has failed to provide proper maintenance. NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar assured that restoration work will begin soon, stating, "We are building a dam wall at the spot. The necessary repairs and maintenance work are part of the project.#dayashankar_tiwari #nagpur_municipal_corporation #neeta_thakre #swami_vivekananda_memorial #ram_sutar
