VADODARA: The work on the
Statue of Unity of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, supposed to be the tallest statue in the world, is expected to be completed by October 25 ahead of its inauguration on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. Chief minister
Vjay Rupani and deputy chief minister
Nitin Patel visited the site on Saturday.
While taking stock of the progress on the project, Rupani was informed that the work on the steel structure of the statue will be completed by September 20 and the bronze panels on it will be in place by October 10. The finishing work on the statue is expected to be completed by October 25. More than 86 per cent work on the 182-meter tall idol is already over. A
Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan to symbolise Sardar’s contribution in a unified India with 52 rooms will also come up at the site.
Rupani said that the entire campus will be world class. He added that the cleanliness, security, cafeteria, food court and other facilities will be of that level.
The CM also discussed the progress on other facilities like boating, valley of flowers and tourism infrastructure that will be coming up at the site. Rupani added that the government was also keen on having state-wide programmes highlighting the life of Sardar and unity of the nation ahead of the dedication of the statue. Rupani said that Sardar was not a ‘rajkiya’ (political), but ‘rashtriya’ (national).
The statue is coming up at Sadhu Bet at Kevadiya Colony near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district. The project includes the statue, its foundation, bridge connecting the Sadhu Bet to the mainland, Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan and the four-lane road from the Bhavan to the Memorial Centre.
The inauguration on October 31 will mark the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The foundation stone was laid five years back on October 13, 2013, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the CM.
Private entrepreneurs have shown interest in setting up resorts, hotels and restaurants in the area. The statue is expected to be an attraction for local and international tourists.
