The World Bank allocated Rs 20 crore for the museum's development. While VMRDA built a BT road for private vehicles via the second ghat road, the absence of battery cars remains a major accessibility issue.
Visakhapatnam: The Telugu Samskrutika Niketanam (Telugu Cultural Museum), located atop Kailasagiri Park, is witnessing a sharp decline in visitors due to inadequate transport facilities, making its access arduous. As a result, the number of audiovisual shows has dropped significantly.
Inaugurated on November 19, 2015, by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) and the World Telugu Federation (WTF), the museum celebrates the Telugu language’s historical significance, heritage and culture.
The museum features a revolving seating platform for 90 spectators and presents a 56-minute sound and light show covering 42 episodes of Telugu history and traditions. However, the show runs only if at least 36 of the 90 seats (40 per cent) are occupied. Tickets are priced at `40 per person and a single viewer can purchase 36 tickets to meet the minimum requirement.
Situated at one end of the sprawling 380-acre Kailasagiri Park, the museum is difficult to reach due to the park’s steep terrain. Many visitors struggle to walk the 1.5 km distance from the entrance. P. Mukunda Rao, who visited with his family, expressed frustration over the lack of battery car services. "We planned to attend the 6 pm show so the children could learn about our Telugu heritage, but with no battery cars available, it was disappointing," he told Deccan Chronicle.
The World Bank allocated Rs 20 crore for the museum's development. While VMRDA built a BT road for private vehicles via the second ghat road, the absence of battery cars remains a major accessibility issue.
Initially, the museum aimed to host four shows daily at 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm. However, even two shows per week have become difficult to organise. Although Sundays and holidays present opportunities for multiple shows, the lack of transport deters visitors.
Museum staff revealed that four battery cars, each with a 12-person capacity, have been out of service for months. "VMRDA has designated this area a pollution-free zone, so private vehicles are prohibited," they noted. Without urgent transport solutions, the museum risks further visitor decline, limiting its ability to showcase Telugu culture and heritage.
