Is a statue of Jyothirao Phule being installed near Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetram in the city? Phule Statue Committee says `Yes’.
“Jyothirao Phule statue on lines of Ambedkar statue is being constructed opposite Tummalapalli Kalakshetram,” says B. Raja Rao, convener of the committee. The statue works will commence as soon as the pipeline works of the Municipal Corporation are completed, he says.
The convener, however, admits that they haven’t obtained the permission. “We have applied for it. The Minister wrote to the Collector. There is no objection from Irrigation Department and we will get the permission shortly,” he says.
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“Secondary Education Minister K. Parthasarathy is also keen on constructing the statue. We are planning to invite either Rahul Gandhi or Mayawati for unveiling of the statue,” he added. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials have no idea about the issue. They, however, point out, “the Apex Court has banned the installation of statues on roads and public places.”
The Supreme Court directed all States not to grant permission for erecting statues or construction of any structure at public places or on highways which would obstruct traffic. The Corporation officials feel that the proposed statue would create further problem in the traffic flow in that area. The traffic comes to a grinding halt during peak hours. The narrow bridges do not support the growing traffic as they One Town and new city; where the railway station and bus station are located.
Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy statue installed near Police Control Room, which is close to Kalakshetram, is already creating traffic problems. The road users always find it difficult to manoeuvre their vehicle to gain access to the flyover. The design of mouth of flyover and the huge statue obstructs the free flow of traffic. The visibility of vehicles coming in opposite direction on the flyover is also near zero due to the statue.
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