World’s tallest statue to be unveiled today

●

Tuesday. He would also inaugurate the ‘ Wall of Un- ity’ ( a monument defining India’s unity) near the statue. During that, three Jaguar fighter jets would fly past the structure at a low altitude, said the release.

After inaugurating the Wall of Unity, Mr Modi would offer floral tributes to Patel, whose birth anniversary falls on October 31. At the same time, two MI- 17 helicopters would shower flowers on the statue, it said. On the occasion, cultural and musical programmes will be performed by the bands of Gujarat police, armed and paramilitary forces. There will be dance and musical performances by artistes drawn from 29 states and two Union Territories.

Some of the other major attractions include inauguration of a 17- km- long Valley of Flowers, a tent city for tourists near the statue and a museum dedicated to the life and times of Mr Patel.

A viewing gallery at a height of 135 metres has been created inside the statue to enable tourists to have a view of the dam and nearby ranges.

The statue has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze, which was used for the outer cladding of the structure, according to the government statement.

The statue's construction had received opposition from some tribal groups in Narmada district. Meanwhile, local tribal leaders have announced a boycott of Wednesday’s event claiming ‘ mass destruction’ of natural resources due to the project. mountain

In an open letter addressed to Mr Modi, sarpanches of 22 villages situated near the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river have said that villagers will not welcome the Mr Modi when he arrives for the function.

“We villagers want to tell you with extreme grief that we will not welcome you on October 31. Even if you come here like an unwanted guest, you are not welcome here,” said the letter signed by sarpanches of the villages of Narmada district.

The area still lacks basic facilities like schools, hospitals and drinking water, they alleged. — PTI