The memorial here of India’s first president, Rajendra Prasad, is finally set for a makeover on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi’s Rajghat memorial in New Delhi. It is in shambles now. Renovation work started three years ago, but it still serves as a den for criminals and drug addicts at night.
Vice-president Hamid Ansari will lay the foundation stone on February 28 to develop the Rajendra Prasad memorial, officially known as Rajendra Smriti Sthal.
On Saturday, officials at the chief minister’s office said that Ansari will lay the foundation stone while attending functions organised by the state government to mark Rajendra Prasad’s 47th death anniversary.
Rashmi Verma, principal secretary in the state tourism department, said work had started to clean the site and demolish old structures. She said the memorial was likely to be expanded towards the Ganga.
“The government has decided to spend Rs2.5 crore in the first phase on landscaping, special lights and a plaque bearing details about Rajendra Prasad,” an official said.
