Work on Statue of Unity at Sardar Sarovar begins

BHARUCH: The concrete work of the foundation raft for the proposed 182 metre Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel began at Sadhu Tekri near Sardar Sarovar at Kevadia Colony in Narmada district on Tuesday. The work was inaugurated by chief minister Anandiben Patel on the 66th death anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Sardar Patel dreamed of a green revolution in Gujarat through Sardar Sarovar Dam, the foundation of which was laid in 1960."We are going to fulfil Sardar's dream," Anandiben Patel said at Kevadia Colony.
She said, "Within 17 days of his becoming Prime Minister, Narendrabhai granted permission for the construction of doors on the dam which will increase the reservoir's height to 138.68 meter. The work is expected to be completed by us by December 2016."
The Statue of Unity project will also have a museum, auditorium and a research centre. It will be developed as a knowledge centre for national and international students and even tourists. A light and sound show will be held for their benefit at the site. The Statue of Unity, which will be double the height of Statue of Liberty in the United States of America, will incur a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. About 5,600 metric tonne of steel and 66,000 metric tonne of cement will be used in the project. It is expected to generate employment opportunities for the local population and help boost tourism in the state, sources said.