Ambedkar statue to be 450ft tall now

Mumbai: The Babasaheb Ambedkar statue at the proposed memorial in Dadar’s Indu Mill will be taller after the state government decided to increase its height from 350 to 450 ft.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced  that the height of the statue will be increased by 100 feet. “All permissions including the CRZ have been obtained. The design of the Ambedkar statue is also ready. However, it will require some change in design. The approval for this will be taken soon,” said Mr Fadnavis.

According to the norms, the height of the statue should be measured along with the pedestal. But in the case of the Ambedkar memorial statue, the authorities have decided to measure the height without the pedestal. Hence, it was decided to increase its height, added the chief minister.

Mr Fadnavis told the Assembly that the work around the memorial has already begun and will be completed by December 6, 2020. “People can visit the Ambedkar memorial on Mahaparinirvan Din (death anniversary of Ambedkar),” he said.

Ambedkarites observe December 6 as Mahaparinirvan din (death anniversary) when they pay homage to their leader.

Located near  Dadar’s  Chaityabhoomi, the Ambedkar memorial will include a library, a replica of the historic Chavdar pond, a number of viewing points for visitors.  

Mr Fadnavis also said that the construction of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial has also commenced in the Arabian Sea.