Work on the 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Patel is to be completed at a cost of Rs 2,979 crore (Rs 29.79 billion), said Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel who presided over the function of handing over the work order.
"Rs 1,347 crore will be spent on the main statue, Rs 235 crore (Rs 2.35 billion) will be spent on the exhibition hall and convention centre, while Rs 83 crore (Rs 830 million) will be spent on the bridge connecting the memorail to the main land and Rs 657 crore (Rs 6.57 billion) would be spent to maintain the structure until 15 years after it is completed," Patel said.
The 182-metre-tall 'Statue of Unity', which would be double the size of New York's 'Statue of Liberty' (93 metres), would inspire future generations, Patel said.
"The project will include an exhibition hall and audio-visual presentation on the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which will become the centre of attraction for tourists from the all over the world," she said.
Patel claimed that the 'Statue of Unity' project will generate employment in the tribal area of Narmada district as well as boost the tourism sector.
The 'Statue of Unity' will be built at Sadhu Island approximately 3.5 km south of Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia area in Narmada district of the state of Gujarat.
The project was launched by the former Gujarat Chief Minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2013, on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
The Gujarat state government had invited expression of interest from all over the world for the project.
After completion of the tender process, L&T has been given the contract of to execute the 'Statue Of Unity' project.
Leading construction company Turner Construction, which built Dubai's famous architectural structure 'Burj Khalifa', is a consultant to the project.
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