A grand show to unveil Statue of Unity's spectacle: Gujarat government

The state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the dedication of Statue of Unity at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31 becomes a spectacle.

Built at a cost of Rs2,989 crore, the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is the world's tallest, almost twice the height of Statue of Liberty, which is 93-metre-high. Besides the mammoth Statue, built using 70,000 tonne cement, 18,500 tonne reinforced steel, 6,000 tonne structural steel, and 1,700 tonne bronze cladding, the project comprises a memorial and visitor centre, and a viewing gallery at a height of 153 metre. The Indian Air Force will hold a Fly Pass programme at the time of the Statue's inauguration on October 31, the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.

The state government said that the Surya Kiran team of Indian Air Force will roar past the Statue and leave behind a trail of saffron, white and green in the skies, when PM Modi presses the button to unveil the monument.

When Modi unveils the Wall of Unity, three Jaguar fighter jets will will fly from the Dam towards the Statue at low altitude, the government said. Later, two MI 17 Air Force helicopters will shower flower petals to coincide with with PM paying floral tributes at the Statue's feet.

Officials said artists from 33 states will perform cultural programme to mark unveiling of the Statue. Ceremonial bands of Gujarat police, SRPF, CRPF, Army, Navy and Air Force will give musical performances to mark the occasion. In addition to PM Modi, unveiling ceremony will be attended by governor OP Kohli, CM Vijay Rupani, BJP president Amit Shah, MP governor Anandiben Patel, Karnataka governor Vaju Vala, and deputy CM Nitin Patel, among others. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and CMs of other states are expected to visit in November.

1. The Sadhu Bet site chosen for Sardar statue, 2. Then PM Narendra Modi performs ground breaking of the statue, 3. Work on the bronze cladding of the Statue, 4. Final touches to Statue in early October

GLITTER AND GLORY

STATUE TO OPEN FOR PUBLIC FROM NOVEMBER 1

The world’s tallest statue will open for public from November 1, i.e. a day after its dedication by prime minister Narendra Modi on October 31. The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited said that valley of flowers, wall of unity, tent city, and other projects have been set up to develop Statue of Unity as a world-class tourist destination. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust has developed a website and app for online ticket booking of the Statue. 

FLOATING SOLAR PANELS TO POWER TENT CITY

Floating solar power panels will power the Tent City near the Statue, the government said. The Tent City has been set up at two sites near the Narmada river. The first one comprises 50 tents, and second one comprises 200 tents. “A quiz on the life and times of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has been installed in the reception area of Tent City. There are plans to set up floating solar panels of 250 kW so as to power the Tent City with green energy,” the state government said.

60 GUIDES FOR TOURISTS

Sixty guides have been deployed at the State of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam site to assist tourists to the two sites. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat said that it held a special one-month training programme for the guides. A total of 81 candidates took training for the entire period, of whom 60 candidates were shortlisted. The state government said that 14 of the selected guides are females, and the remaining 46 are males. 

PM’S SCHEDULE

October 30 

9:30 pm: PM Modi to land at Ahmedabad airport. Governor Om Prakash Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and others to welcome him following he will to head to the Raj Bhavan

October 31

8:00 am: PM Modi to depart governor’s residence for Statue’s  inaugural programme

9.00 am: Modi to reach land at helipad near Sardar Sarovar Dam

9.10 am: Reach the Valley of Flowers near Statue

9.50 am: He will spend 20 minutes at Tent City

10:20 am: Modi will reach the Statue of Unity for the inauguration. The main event will go on for 2 hours.

12:15 pm: PM to leave for Vadodara before returning to New Delhi