In Kittur, the historic Gada Maradi watchtower that once guarded the Kittur kingdom has partially collapsed, with one side giving way after faulty renovation work two years ago, prompting local historians and residents to demand immediate reconstruction to restore the site’s heritage and its planned role as a picnic spot.
The ₹1.80 crore development scheme, cleared by the former BJP administration and championed by former MLA Mahantesh Dodda Gowda, aimed to transform the Gada Maradi enclosure into a picnic spot with a cement‑concrete road, stone benches, food stalls, street‑light poles on both sides and an 80‑foot flagpole for national celebrations. Work had accelerated, and a grand flag‑hoisting ceremony on 26 January 2023 drew large crowds who recalled the excitement of seeing the towering flag.
However, the optimism faded when, on 1 April 2024, the tower’s upper half collapsed, investigators attributing the failure to rainwater pooling on the structure. The 80‑foot flagpole was also lowered, and authorities announced that flag‑hoisting would now take place on the remaining pole on 26 January and 15 April.
Out of the total allocation, only ₹90 lakh has been spent, covering the concrete road, dual street‑light columns and the food‑stall kiosk. The change of government stalled further work, and the existing facilities have deteriorated; rodents have broken the kiosk doors and reports suggest illicit activities after dusk.
Local residents criticize the Kittur Development Authority’s silence on the tower’s repair. MLA Babasahheb Patil has urged officials to draft a ground‑up reconstruction plan and instructed the Public Works Department to install drainage that prevents water accumulation, a factor blamed for the collapse.
An estimate for rebuilding the watchtower is being prepared with expert input, according to Commissioner Santosh Hanagal of the Kittur Development Authority. A recent KDA meeting, attended by Prof. Shrikant Dalwai, president of the Kasapa Taluk unit, reflected public hope that the project will move forward.
The term ‘Gada Maradi’ combines the Hindi‑derived ‘Gad’ (fort) and the Marathi ‘Maradi’ (raised platform). Historically, the site hosted annual flag‑hoisting events attended by district officials and about 500 participants. Historian Chandragouda Patil and Vice‑President Jagesh Kadoli of the Rani Channamma Navabharat Sena have emphasized preserving the landmark, echoing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s warning that “those who do not know history cannot create it.”
