PM inaugurates world's tallest Statue of Unity, says 'It is an expression of new India'

Background

LIVE UPDATES: The world’s tallest statue dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is all set to be inaugurated on a grand level in Gujarat today on his birth anniversary. The statue that is called “statue of unity” keeping in mind the contribution of Sardar Patel in the merger of all princely states with the Dominion of India. The 182-metre tall Statue of Unity, which is twice as tall as America’s Statue of Liberty, will be unveiled by the Prime Minister. The Sardar Patel Statue has been 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.

Wall of Unity:

Ahead of the unveiling of the Statue of Unity, three aircraft of the IAF created the Tricolor in the sky. PM Modi will inaugurate the ‘Wall of Unity’ after this. He will then pay a floral tribute to the statue after which the two deployed MI-17 helicopters will shower flowers on the 182-meter-tall statue.

Sardar Patel Museum, Tent City and Valley of Flowers

After the inauguration of the statue of Unity, a museum based on the life of Sardar Patel will also be inaugurated by PM Modi. A 17-km-long stretch of Vally of Flowers and a tent city for tourists will also be inaugurated.

Run for Unity:

The ‘Run for Unity’ a marathon organised across the country to mark Patel's birth anniversary, will kick start at 7 in the morning after which the PM will embark for the venue.

Opposition by tribal groups:

Some Tribal groups of Narmada district have opposed the construction of the statue of Sardar Patel on the grounds that the project would deal a huge loss to the natural resources of the state. Some of the tribal leaders have decided to boycott the ceremony.

12:17 PM (IST)  •  31 Oct 2018

PM Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and others visit museum & audio-visual gallery at 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Complex'.

12:11 PM (IST)  •  31 Oct 2018

PM Modi performs 'Rashtrarpan Hetu Puja' at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.

12:04 PM (IST)  •  31 Oct 2018

INC Chief Rahul Gandhi tweets, "Sardar Patel was a patriot, who fought for a independent, united & secular India. A man with a steely will, tempered by compassion, he was a Congressman to the core, who had no tolerance for bigotry or communalism. On his birth anniversary, I salute this great son of India."

12:02 PM (IST)  •  31 Oct 2018

Sardar Patel was a patriot, who fought for a independent, united & secular India. A man with a steely will, tempered by compassion, he was a Congressman to the core, who had no tolerance for bigotry or communalism. On his birth anniversary, I salute this great son of India.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 31, 2018

11:40 AM (IST)  •  31 Oct 2018

The Statue of Unity will be a key point in building a stronger economy and creating employment: PM Modi