'Statue of Unity' gets finishing touches as unveiling nears

The 'Statue of Unity' dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which is touted to be the tallest statue in the world, is being given final touches as it is set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31.

Nearly 3,400 labourers and 250 engineers are working round-the-clock at the site of the statue at Sadhu Bet island on Narmada river. The 182-metre tall statue will be unveiled by the PM on birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the first home minister of the country.

The statue, being built at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore, will be the world's tallest, standing 3.2 km downstream of the Narmada dam on the islet, Chairman and Managing Director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) S S Rathod told reporters here.

"Construction of the statue will be completed before its inauguration on October 31," Rathod said.

According to an official, work is going on at fast pace on the interiors of the project, which includes a museum of Sardar Patel, elevators, and the viewing gallery. A memorial garden being developed at the base is also being given a final touch.

"Currently, marble flooring is being laid on the 306-metre walkway that reaches the base of the statue and from there to the viewing gallery. Besides that, work on escalators, a selfie point and a shopping point is also on," the official added.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project on