Nagpur: The iconic Swami Vivekananda Memorial at Ambazari overflow point, once celebrated as Nagpur’s top landmark, stands neglected today. After surviving the devastating floods of September 23, 2023, and even legal scrutiny in the form of a high court case, the memorial has fallen prey to civic apathy. Residents say the Swami Vivekananda Memorial is steadily deteriorating due to poor maintenance and inadequate upkeep.Citizens approached TOI expressing concern over the poor condition of the memorial, which was developed at a cost of over Rs4 crore. Visitors report malfunctioning lights, damaged infrastructure, and lack of cleanliness at the site. While instances of vandalism and irresponsible behaviour by some visitors have contributed to the deterioration, residents claim the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) too has failed to provide proper maintenance. A visit to the spot revealed broken stone railings, littered pathways, cracked tiles, and decaying infrastructure. Shockingly, empty beer bottles are also seen strewn around the structure.The project was proposed in 2012-13 by then-standing committee chairman and former mayor Dayashankar Tiwari. The towering structure, regarded as one of the tallest bronze statues of Swami Vivekananda in the country, was inaugurated in September 2016. The memorial’s centrepiece is the bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, crafted by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar and his son Anil. The Swami Vivekananda statue is mounted on a 30-foot pedestal, reaching its highest point to 51 feet above ground level. Weighing nearly four tonnes, the statue features a stainless-steel internal framework.Tiwari expressed disappointment over the current state of the memorial and urged the civic administration to take immediate restoration steps. “The memorial is one of Nagpur’s most recognised landmarks. It is unfortunate to see it in such a condition,” he said. The former mayor added that he plans to visit the site along with mayor Neeta Thakre. “I will request the mayor to allocate a dedicated fund for repairs and maintenance of the memorial in the upcoming NMC budget,” Tiwari said. NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar assured TOI that the restoration work will start soon. “We are building a dam wall at the spot. The necessary repairs and maintenance work are part of the project,” he said.
