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| Restored Victoria Hall,Vizag,instagram.com |
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| Iconic Victoria Hall, Visakhapatnam |
Above image: Victorial Hall.Visakhapatnam, Andhra: Said to be built by the 'Rajah of Bobbli' between 1901 and 1904, it stands on top of a hillock, above sea level, This iconic historical colonial Town Hall continues to crumble in 2019due to laxity on the part of officials of the City Corporation.........
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| Restored Victoria Hall,Vizag,instagram.com |
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| Before restoration Victoria Hall yovizag.com |
The iconic Victoria Memorial Town Hall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is undergoing much-needed restoration to reclaim its historical and architectural grandeur. Built in 1893 by the Maharajah of Bobbili at a personal cost of ₹50,000, the building was constructed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. With its sweeping views of the Bay of Bengal and unique European design elements, the two-story hall, located in old Jalaripeta, has long served as both a cultural and political hub of the city.
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| Old image Victoria Hall, VizagInstagram |
Recognizing the structure's deteriorating state, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department launched a comprehensive restoration project in 2023. The work, expected to be completed in phases, aims to conserve the original architectural integrity—retaining the Mangalore-tiled sloping roof, Scottish steel beam reinforcements, Burma teak pillars, Madras terrace roofing, and ashlar stone masonry. Special care is being taken to restore the iconic twin conical towers and the 5,000 sq. ft. wooden verandahs, while improving internal structural stability, lighting, and drainage systems.
The Town Hall isn’t just an architectural landmark—it is steeped in the spirit of India’s freedom struggle. From hosting Gandhiji’s speech on the Khadi movement in 1929 to acting as the backdrop for the Salt Satyagraha led by Digumarthi Janakibai and others, the hall was a pulsating nerve centre of nationalist fervour. It also witnessed severe police brutality, such as that inflicted on patriot Kapuganti Chidambaram. The building stood witness to Vizag’s resistance against colonial oppression.
Post-restoration, the Town Hall is set to be repurposed as a heritage interpretation centre and community cultural space, allowing new generations to connect with the city’s colonial and freedom-era history. Interpretive signage, digital exhibitions, and public lecture events are part of the revitalisation vision. As urbanization accelerates, restoring such heritage structures becomes crucial not just to preserve history, but to inspire civic pride and patriotism rooted in India's hard-won independence.
https://www.yovizag.com/town-hall-visakhapatnam-municipality-resurrection
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