Ahmedabad: The Statue of Unity and other attractions in its vicinity will remain closed for visitors for five days from October 28 in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, officials said.
“The Statue of Unity and all other attractions at Kevadia will remain closed from October 28 to November 1,” the office of the chief administrator of the Statue of Unity said in a statement posted on its website.
The imposing Statue of Unity, which is 182 metres tall, is the world’s tallest statue and has emerged as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. It was built at a cost of nearly Rs. 3,000 crore when Modi was the Gujarat CM as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his role in unifying the country after independence. The project was conceived when Modi was the Gujarat chief minister.
Officials said the statue would be out of bounds for tourists due to the National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) celebrations on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
While the itinerary is yet to be announced officially, government officials said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kevadia on October 30 and dedicate the newly built ghat. He is also likely to take part in the Narmada Aarti.
The next day, Modi is slated to take part in the National Unity Day celebrations and visit some of the projects in the statue’s vicinity.