The Gujarat government on Monday issued work order for construction of the Statue of Unity – World’s tallest statue in the riverbed of Narmada near Kevadia in Gujarat to the engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L& T). The work order is worth Rs 2,979 crore.

Conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of the state, the Statue of Unity project involves construction of 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The project was announced by Modi on October 31, 2013, the birth anniversary of the 'Iron Man of India’.

 

The work order was handed over by the state government officials to the L&T officials in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion Patel stated that the project will play an important role in socio-economic development of the tribal region, where the project is being taken up.

 

“This will help boost eco-tourism and development for the local community. Such mammoth project will also generate local employment for the people in Kevadia,” Patel told media persons here.

 

Of the total contract of Rs 2,979 crore, Rs 1,347 crore will go towards building the statue, Rs 235 crore for constructing the exhibition centre and convention centre, Rs 134 crore for research and development centres and Rs 83 crore for building the bridge connecting memorial with the mainland. The construction will take place on the Sadhu bet – an island approximately 3.5 km south of Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia.

 

As per the terms of agreement, L&T will be responsible for maintenance and management of the project site for 15 year after the completion of construction. L&T will be paid Rs 657 crore for the same. The construction of the statue is likely to be completed in the next 42 months.

 

In the first phase, construction of the main statue, the bridge connecting the statue with the river bank and reconstruction of the 12-kms road along the bank will be taken up.

 

The entire project involves the main statue, a memorial park at the base of the statue, an artificial reservoir between the Dam and Garudeshwar town, a visitor facilitation centre and a reception desk at Kevadia.

 

The total height of the statue from the base (or reduce level) will be 240 metres, which includes base level of 58 metres. The statue will be double the size of 'Statue of Liberty' in US and four times that of 'Christ the Redeemer' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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