Indore’s Gandhi statue, unveiled in 1956, faces rodent menace:After decades of neglect, municipal authorities plan treatment to control rats burrowing

Indore, ranked number one in India eight times, is now facing a unique problem around the iconic Gandhi statue at Regal Chowraha. Over the years, the area has become infested with rats, which have dug hundreds of burrows in the garden surrounding the statue. Since the statue’s unveiling in 1956, no significant attention has been paid to this historic site. The Gandhi statue is the city’s second major landmark after Rajwada. It is surrounded by high-mast poles and a tricolor flag on nearly 50-foot-high structures. Authorities warn that if rats dig burrows under the statue or these poles, it could lead to serious accidents. Municipal Corporation takes action After the discovery of hundreds of rat burrows, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has gone into action mode. The administration plans a comprehensive treatment for the rodents to prevent further damage. Visitors have often spotted rats roaming freely, partly due to people feeding birds in the area, which has inadvertently attracted rodents. A glimpse into history The Gandhi statue was unveiled on 23 October 1956 by then Union Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant. He visited Indore to inaugurate MY Hospital and later unveiled the statue at Regal Chowraha. The statue is made of metal and is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden, which was maintained for decades. Historian and conservationist Zafar Ansari noted that nearby were the Regal Cinema and Milky Way Cinema, the latter also hosting a beer bar. After the Gandhi statue was installed, the bar owner, a Parsi, closed his bar out of respect, saying that alcohol couldn’t be sold in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue. The area also became a popular spot for birds, including parrots and pigeons. Past rodent control efforts During the 1960s, the Indore Municipality distributed rat traps door-to-door to control the rodent population, following an outbreak of plague attributed to rats. The initiative was considered a preventive measure for public health. Recent rodent problems and public safety Rats have caused damage not just near the Gandhi statue but in surrounding areas as well. In September, two children were injured at MY Hospital after rats bit their fingers. A large pit developed near Shastri Bridge due to rodent activity, prompting the municipal corporation to repair the road and close a nearby tea stall. Following the discovery of hundreds of burrows near the Gandhi statue, city officials, including Public Works in-charge Rajendra Rathore, and the mayor inspected the site. The municipal corporation is coordinating with experts for a rodent control plan. Upcoming treatment and safety measures Authorities plan to treat the area near the high-mast poles and prepare boundaries around the garden. Excavated burrows will be treated with pest control paste and then filled with cement to prevent accidents. The work is expected to begin soon to ensure public safety and preserve the historic Gandhi statue.