Sun Jan 26 14:31:28 UTC 2025: **Vijayawada Seniors Protest Closure of College Grounds Used for Decades as Walking Area**
VIJAYAWADA, January 26, 2025 – Senior citizens in Vijayawada are protesting the closure of Andhra Loyola College’s grounds, a decades-long community space used for morning walks. The college’s recent warning to trespassers has sparked outrage among the walkers, many of whom are members of the Andhra Loyola College Walkers’ Association.
For years, over 700 people used the grounds for exercise and socialization, forming a close-knit community. The closure, implemented during the pandemic and maintained since, has left many with limited alternative walking options, particularly those who find city sidewalks and smaller neighborhood parks unsuitable.
The walkers highlight that they’ve contributed significantly to the grounds’ upkeep over the years, donating substantial sums for improvements and amenities. They emphasize that their use of the grounds was never disruptive, occurring before college classes began.
The college management’s lack of response to the walkers’ concerns has prompted them to seek intervention from local officials, including the District Collector, Police Commissioner, Member of Parliament, and the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development. The walkers assert their right to continue using the grounds, especially given their long-standing presence and contributions. The situation underscores the shrinking open spaces in Vijayawada, contrasting with the state government’s “Arogya Andhra Pradesh” health initiative.
First Piper 