'Statue of Unity' to attract 15,000 tourists daily: Guj minister

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the 'Statue of Unity', touted to be the world's tallest statue, on October 31, Gujarat minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama Tuesday said over 15,000 domestic and international tourists are expected to visit the site daily.

Chudasama, who was accompanied by some party legislators during a visit here, said he would be extending invites to various dignitaries, including Governors of Punjab and Haryana, for the inauguration event.

Several Gujarat ministers and BJP MLAs from the state have fanned out across the country with invites to the big event.

When asked if an invite was extended to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chudasama, who was addressing a news conference here, saidGujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had written to all chief ministers in this regard.

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar also attended the conference.

Dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Statue of Unity with a height of 182 metres, will be unveiled on Patel's 142nd birth anniversary.

As the then Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi had on October 31, 2013 laid the foundation stone for the project.

Gujarat Education Minister Chudasama said the statue would inspire the coming generation about the contribution of the "Iron Man" in the unity of India. He said Patel had made a unique contribution in bringing 546 princely states together for the unity and harmony of the nation.

To pay tribute to a leader of high stature and ensure that his contribution does not remain confined to books, the then chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had decided to construct a unique monument of Sardar Patel, Chudasama said.

The statue, built at a cost of over Rs 2,300 crore, stands 3.2 km downstream of the Narmada dam on the islet 'Sadhu Bet'.

The Gujarat minister said a Shrestha Bharat Complex has been set up near the Statue of Unity which would house Bhavans of different states.

The Gujarat chief minister has sent a written communication to chief ministers of all states for setting up their respective Bhavans at the site, to which Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already consented.

The statue will also have a museum on the life of Sardar Patel at the base and a viewing gallery besides an exhibition and a research centre will also come up at the site, Chudasama said.

The research centre will facilitate scholars doing research on the lives of great personalities like Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, he said.

"As the statue is situated in a tribal area, the high footfall will help in the development of the area and also create large-scale employment avenues.

"A 17 kilometer-long flower valley will give a mesmerizing experience to those visiting the statue. About 100 guides will be available at the site for the convenience of visitors," the Gujarat education minister added.