A landmark carrying Vizag’s history

Located in Chengal Rao Peta in the Old Town area, Visakhapatnam’s historic Town Hall was built by the Maharaja of Bobbili, Sir Venkata Svetachalapathi Ranga Rao, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The two-storey stone structure was constructed between 1901 and 1904 at a cost of ₹50,000 and inaugurated in 1904.

Over the decades, the building became an important venue for public meetings, cultural programmes, concerts and literary gatherings. Mahatma Gandhi addressed a gathering at the Town Hall in 1929. The Salt Satyagraha in Visakhapatnam in 1931 also began from the beach opposite the building.

Restoration completed, but doors remain closed

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited undertook the restoration under the Smart Cities Mission. The project, estimated at ₹4.13 crore, was carried out between 2019 and 2022, with Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt. Ltd. serving as the conservation agency.

The work focused on preserving the building’s original architectural character. It included restoring the Mangalore tiled roof, repairing timber rafters and joists, refurbishing wooden flooring and replacing doors and windows to match the original design.

Despite the completion of restoration, the building has not yet been opened for public use, prompting concern among heritage enthusiasts and residents.

Proposed heritage museum and public space

According to GVMC’s utilisation plans, the ground floor is proposed to be developed as a city heritage museum. It is expected to showcase Visakhapatnam’s history, including its freedom movement, through photographs, maps, paintings, letters and other historical material.

Heritage enthusiasts have also suggested using the first floor as a public space for meetings, discussions and cultural activities, allowing citizens to reconnect with the building’s original purpose.

GVMC indicates possible reopening after elections

Speaking to The New Indian Express, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said the civic body was taking steps to open the Town Hall to the public. He indicated that the inauguration could be scheduled after the election period, explaining that the process had been halted due to the Model Code of Conduct.

For Visakhapatnam residents and heritage lovers, reopening the Town Hall would mean more than making a restored building accessible. It would bring an important part of the city's history back into public life.