Statue of Unity: The tallest in the world unveiled

An iconic and massive bronze sculpture the “Statue of Unity”, a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Iron Man, has been cast at Sadhu bet, near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district of Gujarat. At 182 mtr high, the statue is the tallest in the world.

The ambitious project was first announced in 2010 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat. The foundation stone was laid in October 2013, and the deadline for its completion was fixed at 42 months. No cost escalations on labour, fuel and building materials was granted. The project has been executed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at a cost of Rs 3,060.88 crore.

The statue of India’s first Deputy Prime Minister, in a walking posture, has been dressed in his trademark costume -- dhoti, kurta and shawl. The memorial boast features like exhibition hall, bridge linking the statue site with mainland, memorial garden, administrative complex- cum-convention centre, walkway, food court, four-lane approach highway, and a 52-room, three-star lodging facility, Shrestha Bharat Bhavan.

The observation deck, situated at a height of around 500 ft from river Narmada’s bed, will entertain up to 200 people at a time. It will provide visitors with a panoramic view of the majestic and beautiful mountain range of Satpura and Vindhyachal, 212 km long Sardar Sarovar Reservoir, and 12 km long Garudeshwar Reservoir.

The grand monument was unveiled by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.