Gandhi Hill set for heritage makeover as footfall surges

Vijayawada: Once known primarily for its planetarium and toy train, Gandhi Hill is steadily reinventing itself as a heritage and recreational destination. A sharp rise in visitor footfall over the past few months has prompted the Gandhi Hill Foundation to draw up plans for a series of new attractions and infrastructure upgrades, including the revival of the toy train, a Bapu museum, a library, a children’s play area and the restoration of the light-and-sound show.The transformation has gathered pace since the inauguration of the lift and completion of landscaping works last Oct. According to Y Rama Chandra Rao, secretary of the Gandhi Hill Foundation, monthly footfall, which earlier hovered between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors, has crossed 15,000 since Oct 2025, touching nearly 20,000 in Jan.Spread over a hillock about 550 feet above sea level, Gandhi Hill has witnessed several improvements in recent months, including the development of lawns, viewpoints and gardens, besides the installation of 32 CCTV cameras.

Replicas inspired by Gandhi’s life and philosophy, including the Phoenix Ashram, Portbandar, and Sabarmati Ashram, have already been developed, while replicas of Sevagram Ashram are nearing completion.Encouraged by the increased public response, the foundation has now proposed works estimated at around Rs 1 crore. The toy train, which has remained non-operational for nearly four years due to engine problems, is expected to be the first major project.

Experts from Mumbai recently inspected the train, and a decision on repairing the existing engine or procuring a new train is likely within the next two to three weeks.

Repairing it is estimated to cost around ₹20 lakh, while a new train could require an investment of about Rs 70 lakh.Rao said the foundation is also planning a new Bapu museum to showcase Mahatma Gandhi’s life, a library, additional greenery and lawn development, two new entry points with another access route, children’s recreational facilities and the revival of the light-and-sound show. Gandhi Hill, whose foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964, also plans to host programmes marking Gandhi Jayanti, the Salt Satyagraha and other events linked to Gandhian history.