Fire near Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia, no casualties reported

A fire broke out in a godown near Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia district last night. Three fire engines were pressed into action and the fire was doused within couple of hours. According to new agency ANI, no casualties were reported in the incident. The world’s tallest statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31st last year. The Statue of Unity has surpassed the world record of the Giant Buddha of Leshan statue in China. On day 1 after the inauguration, record 27,000 people had visited the memorial. The state government had to issue an advisory for the visitors.

The statue, built on an islet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya, at 182 metres is the tallest such structure in the world. With the capacity of the high-speed lift which takes tourists to the viewing gallery inside the statue being 5,000 persons per day, the state government asked people to plan their trip to the memorial keeping this aspect in mind. The viewers gallery inside the statue is at a height of 135 metres and can accommodate up to 200 persons at one time. The government statement also informed visitors that the memorial remains closed every Monday for maintenance.

If not for prompt action by teh fire department, the Tuesday night fire could have affected the memorial. 

Here are some more interesting figures about the Statue of Unity:

1. 1,700-tonne bronze used to make the statue

2. 1,850-tonne bronze used in the outer structure of the statue

3. 1,80,000 cubic meter use of concrete and cement used

4. 6,500 tonne of steel used

5. Constructed in an area of 22,000 sqmt

6. The statue is capable of withstanding a 6.5 intensity earthquake

7. The speed of -180 kilometers per hour will not be damaged by air

8. Larsen & Toubro given the contract for Rs 2,989 crore