The Foundation of World’s Tallest Statue, the Statue of Unity was laid today at Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat by the State Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Former Dy. Prime Minister of India Lal Krishna Advani was also present on the occasion.
The proposed Statue of Unity
The Statue is located on a river island called Sadhu Bet of Narmada river, near Bharuch in Gujarat. The Statue is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the prominent leaders of Indian Independence and the first Home Minister of Independent India. Today was 138th  Birth Anniversary of Sardar Patel.
The Statue is proposed to be 182 meters (240 metres including base)Â high making it tallest Statue in the World. In contrast, the Statue of Liberty in USA is only 93m (including base) in height.
Gujarat Government is endeavouring to develop it as a Tourist Spot. Apart from Statue,  there would be other buildings including  a memorial, visitor centre, garden, hotel, convention centre, amusement park and a research institute. A bridge would also be constructed connecting the statue on Sadhu island to the bank.
Speaking on the occasion, Narendra Modi stated that after Chanakya, if there was a person who integrated the entire nation it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
He also announced a Run for Unity Programme on 15th December 2013, which is Sardar Patel’s Death Anniversary.
The Project would cost Rs 2500 Crores and would take about 56 months to finish. Gujarat Government has allocated Rs 100 Crore for the project, while the remaining amount would be arranged by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust.
The iron needed for this statue and other structures will be collected from farmers of villages all around India in a form of donation of their used farming instruments.