Dr Ambedkar's 'Statue of Equality' in Mumbai to be taller than Statue of Liberty in US

The estimated cost of the proposed grand memorial of Dr. BR Ambedkar at Indu Mill in Mumbai has gone up from Rs 425 crore to nearly Rs 900 crore even as the construction of the memorial is yet to begin.  

Reason: Inclusion of a giant bronze statue of Ambedkar— a 350-feet tall structure which will be called the 'Statue of Equality'—to mark the contribution of the Dalit icon’s fight against social injustice. 

"This Statue of Equality would be taller than the Statue of Liberty in the US which is 330 feet tall," said a top official from the social justice department. 

The statue is the brainchild of Social Justice Minister Rajkumar Badole. Ambedkarites want to name the Statue of Equality something along the lines of 'Statue of Unity’, the name coined for Sardar Vallabhai Patel's statue. Badole recently submitted a fresh design of the memorial to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is yet to approve it. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had performed the bhumi poojan of the memorial in October 2015. Things didn't move an inch since then as the state is yet to get possession of the 12-acre land at Indu Mill-6 in Dadar, which is still under the National Textile Corporation. 

While Badole remained unreachable, the architect for the project, Shashi Prabhu, confirmed the inclusion of a 350 feet (120 m) tall bronze statue of Ambedkar and also the possible escalation of the cost. He refused to cite the exact figure and insisted that the design is pending for approval. 

"Since no company in India has the expertise to make such a big bronze statute, we have to get it done from China. It's not possible to speculate the cost. It could be Rs 300 crore to Rs 500 crore or even more," says Prabhu. 

The world's tallest statue—one of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (182 m)—is being made in Gujarat. The project would cost Rs 3,500 crore for which Gujarati community in the US is extending help, informs Prabhu.

The original design for the Ambedkar statue had a huge stupa-like dome around a pond, topped by 24 stone ribs. In the new model, the grand statue replaces the dome. It would be surrounded by a skywalk cum viewing deck. Besides this, a lotus-shaped floating library, an auditorium, a meditation space, a museum and an open-air plaza for light and sound shows would be the other major attractions. 

Atul Prabhu, partner at Shashi Prabhu associates, says, "The entire memorial site is conceived as an oasis of calm featuring various gardened spaces that reflect the spirit and the persona of the great leader."

"The sea front is proposed to be developed into a beautiful promenade where public can spend their evenings taking a stroll or simply sit and enjoy the view by the sea. The waterfront is visualised as an extension of the stretch, linking it all the way up to the Chaitya blooming site," says Atul. 

Salient features of the new proposed master plan

1. In the centre, a statue in bronze, measuring 350 feet, that stands on a circular pedestal building housing the visitor hall, a library, a cyclorama theatre and an art gallery. 

2. A library building simulating the appearance of a lotus floating on water, at the base of the statue.

3. A museum dedicated to Ambedkar's life, at the base of the statue.

4. An open air plaza space for light and sound shows like the Chaudhar tal event.

5. An auditorium for hosting large conventions and meetings.

6. Space for meditation

7. 450-car parking space in the basement and dedicated bus parking bay for large groups.