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From Garbage Mountain to %u2018Rashtra Prerna Sthal%u2019: Lucknow%u2019s Remarkable Transformation under SBM-U 2.0Legacy Waste Dumpsite Remediation TransformationsUnder Swachh Bharat Mission%u2013Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, Lucknow%u2019s once-troublesome Ghaila dumpsite has undergone an extraordinary transformation into a grand public park, emerging as a new symbol of the city. With the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and SBM-U 2.0, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) cleared nearly 20 years of legacy waste spread across 30 acres and developed the magnificent %u2018Rashtra Prerna Sthal%u2019 across approximately 65 acres. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the park to the nation on 25 December 2025, marking the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the presence of Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Shri Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath.Located near Dubagga between Sitapur and Hardoi Road along the Gomti River, the Ghaila dumpsite had accumulated nearly 8 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste over two decades. Initiated in 2021 under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the project successfully eliminated this massive garbage heap within just one and a half years, turning the vision of garbage-free cities into reality under the leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister.Inspiration Behind the NameThe site has been named %u2018Rashtra Prerna Sthal%u2019 to serve as a center that inspires future generations with the values of nation-building and patriotism. During the inauguration, the Prime Minister highlighted it as a powerful example of %u2018Waste to Wealth%u2019 and %u2018Waste to Wellness%u2019.Key Features of Rashtra Prerna SthalThe park features towering 65-foot bronze statues of three eminent leaders%u2014Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee%u2014symbolizing unity, good governance, and inclusive development. It also houses a state-of-the-art museum and digital gallery showcasing their lives and contributions. Additionally, the site includes an open-air theatre with a seating capacity of 3,000, an exhibition ground, and modern amenities such as yoga and meditation centers, seminar halls, and a VIP lounge, making it both an inspirational and community-focused space.16