Hyderabad: The massive 125 feet statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was inaugurated on Friday by Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanthi.
So, on the occasion, here are the important events in the timeline of the construction of this Hyderabad’s latest landmark.
Project announcement
Telangana chief minister K Chandra Shekhar Rao, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar on 14th April 2016, announced that the government of Telangana will install his 125 feet tall statue at NTR Gardens adjacent to the Secretariat in the city.
From word to work
The State government issued GO Rt No. 211 on April 11, 2016, of the Scheduled Caste Development (BUD.LA) department issued orders for the constitution of Ambedkar Vigraha Aviskarana Committee for the erection of 125 feet tall statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at hillock area of NTR Garden premises, Hyderabad under the chairmanship of the then deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihari.
The Government also issued GO Rt No. 291 on May 21, 2016, of Scheduled Caste Development (BUD.LA) department has also constituted a technical committee for collecting relevant information from various organizations for the erection of 125 feet tall statue of Dr BR Ambedkar under the chairmanship of secretary to the government, SCD department.
On April 4, 2018, the government further issued GO Rt No. 152 of Scheduled Caste Development (BUD.LA) department issued orders appointing M/s Design Associates as consultants for the preparation of Detailed Project Report and Project Management Consultancy Services during the construction of the above project.
The consultants prepared two alternatives (Circular and Square pedestals) for approval and the same was presented before the chief minister. The chief minister approved the circular base option.
Circular base structure similar to Indian Parliament
Based on Option-II i.e Ambedkar statue on a circular base building structure similar to Indian Parliament approved by the chief minister, the consultants ‘M/s Design Associates’ submitted a detailed estimate for Rs.146.50 Crores based on quotations from Ram Sutar Fine Arts Pvt Ltd & Mattu Ram Arts Studios Pvt Ltd, Delhi who are renowned sculptors.
The administrative sanction was accorded by the government for Rs. 146.50 Crores vide GO Ms No.2 Scheduled Castes Development (Bud.LA) department dated November 15, 2020.
The Engineer-in-Chief (R&B) Buildings & NH accorded technical sanction for Rs.146.50 Crores based on the administrative sanction accorded by the government and initiated the tender process and the work was entrusted to M/s KPC Projects Limited, Hyderabad. The agreement was concluded on June 3 with a stipulated period of 12 months and work commenced.
Salient features of the project:
- Height of Pedestal: 50 Feet
- Diameter of Pedestal:
Ground floor: 172 ft
Terrace: 74 ft
- Height of Statue: 125 Feet
- Built-up area in Pedestal Structure:
Lower Ground Floor: 2066 Sft
Ground Floor: 15200 Sft
- Terrace Floor: 2200 Sft
- Built-up area in Ancillary building: 6792 Sft
- Total Built-up Area: 26258 Sft.
- Facilities in the monument building:
- Museum & Gallery exhibiting important life events of Dr BR Ambedkar.
- Landscape and Greenery: 2.93 Acres
- Parking for about 450 Cars.
- Lifts 15 Passengers- 2 Nos
- Quantity of Stainless Steel used in the Armature Structure of the statue: 360 MT.
- Quantity of Bronze used in the casting of the Statue: 114 MT.
