Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Maidan. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 20: The sprawling Gandhi Maidan would soon have a 40-feet tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Chief minister Nitish Kumar gave a directive in this regard to the building construction department today while reviewing the performance of the department.

Nitish also issued directives for the beautification of the ground and construction of a pathway around it. The officials have been asked to develop the drainage system in the ground and to take steps for equipping it with all the facilities.

Gandhi Maidan is the only one of its kind in the state capital and it has been a historic place for many reasons. Old-timers link it to the massive rally that late Jai Prakash Narayan had organised in this ground to launch the JP movement.

After that rally in 1974, politicians have used this ground to exhibit their support base. There is hardly any known political party, which has not organised rallies in this maidan located in the heart of the city.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad has to his credit holding maximum number of rallies here. There has hardly been a year during the RJD’s 15-year rule in Bihar when a rally was not organised by the ruling party at Gandhi Maidan.

Political rallies apart, many politicians have used this ground to organise oath-taking ceremonies after being voted to power. The latest addition to this list has been the oath-taking ceremony of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state in November last year.

The maidan has also been a happy hunting ground for event organisers. Book fairs, craft fairs and other events are frequently organised there.

Even special functions of the state government take place here. The main state function on Republic Day and Independence Day is held in this maidan every year. Preparations are afoot to organise a mega show in the maidan to mark the celebrations of Bihar Divas on March 22.

The political hotspot of the state capital, however, would not host political rallies or commercial event, at least for a year. Patna Municipal Commission (PMC) authorities said political gatherings and other events would be banned to carry out the proposed beautification of the maidan.

VIPs and event organisers apart, the maidan is also a favourite destination of common residents of all age.

While the old and middle-aged residents use it for their morning and evening walks, for children this place is one of the few open spaces left in the city, where they can play without creating troubles for others.

Groups of children can be seen playing in different parts of the ground on any given day.

The attraction of the maidan notwithstanding, hardly any step has been taken to preserve the originality of the ground which was once called “lawns” by local residents for its green grass cover. The cover is almost gone now because of overuse of the ground. Its surface has become uneven, too.

There are, however, some talks doing the rounds for the beautification of the ground and add green cover to it. Rs 9 crore has been earmarked for its uplift.

“The project is all set to begin by late February,” PMC commissioner Manish Kumar told The Telegraph.