UP govt to build 221-metre statue of Lord Ram

Amid a big push by various political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the government of Uttar Pradesh has unveiled the first look of the bronze statue of Lord Ram to be installed in Ayodhya. The statue would be 221-metre tall, making it the world's tallest structure.

Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Information) Avanish Awasthi informed on Saturday that while the statue itself would be 151-metre tall, the structure would have a 20-metre tall umbrella and a 50-metre pedastal. Awasthi said the pedestal would house a museum.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was on Saturday given presentations by five firms shortlisted for the construction of the statue. Soil testing is already underway for the construction of the statue.

The state government said in a press release that the statue would be made of bronze. It is likely to be built on the banks of Sarayu river in Ayodhya. The government, however, in its statement did not disclose the location or cost of the structure.

The announcement was made in a hurry ahead of two big events planned in Ayodhya on Sunday. While Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is in the historic city to have 'darshan' of Ram Lalla at the disputed site, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is organising a Dharma Sabha where 3 lakh people are expected to attend.

The move comes just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's tallest statue in Gujarat's Kevadiya on October 31 – an imposing 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the country's first home minister.