Vijayawada: The city is losing important landmarks with he changing trends and beautification project of the state government. Several landmarks have already been demolished. Presently, the state government has initiated the beautification project. As part of it, now some more landmarks and well-noted structures will be demolished soon. The oldest and iconic structures will remain as only in the memories of the people.
The state government already decided to demolish the state guest house and construct the biggest new complex for MLA quarters and accommodation for visitors in the model of AP Bhavan. Likewise, the government plans to construct the biggest city commercial complex in Swarajya Maidan, popularly known as PWD grounds. Besides, the oldest irrigation superintending engineer (SE) circle office was almost shifted to various locations and the CM’s office has been constructed in the site. Several irrigation division office buil-dings were demolished for the CM’s camp office construction. Actually, the office has hoary history and the irrigation buildings were constructed under the British rule.
Apart from this, the Ashoka Pillar, which is the city’s most important iconic landmark at the foothills of Indrakeeladri was demolished for Durga temple flyover construction. The government did not finalise the location for resetting the pillar. In the same way, Gosh-ala, which is also especially connected to the traders who go there to regularly and offer puja to cows in One Town will be demolished. The government decided to shift the Gosh-ala to another location. Meanwhile, the temple authorities have begun the demolition of various structures atop the hill around the Durga temple. The entire Durga temple premises will be changed for implementing the master plan.
On the other hand, several other popular city landmarks like Benz Circle, Pushpa hotel, Leela Mahal, Andhra Patrika office, New India hotel centre, Durga Café, Mysore cafe, Kanakadurga Theatre, Vinoda Talkies, Bodemma hotel, Chennupati Petrol Bunk (Bandar Road) Maruthi Talkies and several private buildings were demolished for establishing new structures. The names of the lankmarks are still popular with the older generation, but new generation may not be able to identify them.
