Historical Dandi march monument Saifee Villa in dire straits

SURAT: The only monument reminiscent of the historical salt march by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Saifee Villa, Dandi, is in a dilapidated condition as it has been neglected for over past couple of years. The building which has not been maintained since 2013 is in urgent need of repairs.
The Saifee Villa is the only monument of historical importance at Dandi beach in Navsari documenting the beginning of the civil disobedience movement in India, the Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi.
Over the last two years the bungalow has suffered serious damage mainly in the roof from where the rain water has started dripping in further damaging the photographs, literature and inside walls. In some parts of the bungalow the roof has broken down completely.
To add to this, the electricity bill of around Rs 8,000 generated over the past eight months have not been paid.
A caretaker of the museum has not received salary since 2013. He has been doing labour work in nearby areas to run his house. In 2010, Saifee Villa was handed over to Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for renovation for three years. "ASI got custody for renovation in 2010 and after completion of the project we proposed central government in 2013 to take possession. Grant to ASI was discontinued. In absence of any development for transfer of its possession the repair work was not done for long period," said Rajesh Johri, conservation archeologist, Vadodara circle.
"After renovation Saifee Villa is again in poor condition due to neglect by authorities. Dandi village take pride for being part of Indian freedom struggle but the current situation is saddening for all of us," said Parimal Patel, sarpanch, Dandi village.
To start repair work and solve the confusion among government departments state government took some steps a week ago and a meeting was held between ASI officials and district collector of Navsari.
"Various options to start repair work of the monument were discussed in the meeting. Tourism department and other top state government officials are pursuing the case with ASI. Before any official transfer of the monument takes place government is also working to start urgent repair work," said Remya Mohan, collector, Navsari.