The tallest statue in the World is in India

Photo: deshgujarat.com

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated on 31 October 2018 the world’s largest statue, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. At 182m tall (240m including the base), it is twice the height of the U.S. Statue of Liberty, and depicts India’s first deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The statue overlooks the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River.

The Gujarat government claims its investment in the statue will promote tourism, and that tourism is “sustainable development”. The United Nations says that sustainable tourism increases environmental outcomes and promotes local cultures. But given the statue’s lack of environmental checks and its displacement of local populations, it is hard to see how this project fulfils these goals.

Visitors to the statue will access it via a 5km boat ride. At the statue’s base, they can buy souvenirs and fast food, before taking a high-speed elevator to the observation deck.

The observation deck will be situated in Patel’s head. From it, tourists will look out over the Sardar Sarovar Dam, as the accompanying commentary praises “united” India’s national development successes.

Photo: deshgujarat.com

Since its inauguration on October 31, 2018, the Statue of Unity initially welcomed 4.53 lakh visitors. This number grew to 27.45 lakh in 2019. Despite a decline in visitors during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, 12.81 lakh people still visited that year. The following years saw further growth: 34.29 lakh in 2021, 41.32 lakh in 2022, and 51.20 lakh in 2023, Gujarat State reports.

What is particularly notable is that the Statue of Unity was conceived and developed from scratch, based on the vision of the then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister, Narendrabhai Modi. Unlike historical monuments or established wildlife tourist sites, the Statue of Unity emerged as a new tourist destination. The government has not only built this unique attraction but also ensured smooth road and rail connectivity. Additionally, new tourist attractions continue to be introduced within the expansive area around the Statue of Unity.

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