Hans News Service Nellore

Oncethe bustling headquarters of the freedom struggle, the century-old Pinakini Satyagraha Ashram (PSA)—popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram in Pallepadu village—faces severe neglect due to a lack of political will and administrative follow-through as it marks its 105th year in 2026.

Located 21 km from Nellore on the banks of the Pennar River, the ashram was constructed by philanthropists Dagumarthi Hanumantha Rao and Chaturvedula Venkata Krishnaiah based on Gujarat’s Sabarmati model. Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on February 7, 1921, PSA hosted iconic freedom fighters like Bejawada Gopala Reddy, Ponaka Kanakamma, and Tikkavarapu Ramireddy during Gandhi’s three visits in 1921, 1929, and 1933.

Critics note that political leaders visit only on birth and death anniversaries for media visibility, abandoning developmental promises.

Past proposals—including former CM Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy’s national maintenance pledge and Collector KVN Chakradhar Babu’s plan for a protective river retention wall—never materialized.River erosion has already submerged six acres of ashram land, endangering the historic 1921 Rusthumji Bhavan.

After management shifted through Gandhians, the Grama Swarajya Sangham, and the Indian Red Cross Society, control passed to the District Collector on May 15, 2026, with the District Revenue Officer serving as special officer. Pallepadu villagers have renewed appeals for urgent restoration to save the heritage site from imminent flood destruction.