Gujarat: Now, get a bird’s-eye view of statue, Narmada Dam

VADODARA: Tourists visiting the Statue of Unity (SoU) will now get a bird’s eye view of the world’s tallest statue in Narmada district. The Sardar Sarovar Nigam Ltd (SSNL) has commenced a project to install a ropeway across the Narmada River. This passenger ropeway will carry tourists from one end of the river to the other end.
The tourists will be able to see the SoU on the one side and Sardar Sarovar Dam on the other side while travelling in the ropeway.Sources in the SoU said that the ropeway will be operational within the next two years and it is expected to boost tourism in Kevadia.
“It will be a breath-taking view for the tourists as they would get to see the massive dam, world’s tallest statue and Narmada River at one go,” said an SOU official.
SSNL authorities recently issued a tender for the project which will be executed on build, finance, operate and maintenance and transfer. The project cost has been touted at about Rs 62 crores.
Initially, over a dozen cabins with a capacity of 10 persons each will become operational and later the number may be increased.
The 182-metre tall statue of India’s first home minister, Sardar Patel has already become one of the top tourist spots in the country. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018, it witnessed tourist influx soon after. Additional tourist attractions like jungle safari, butterfly park, cactus garden, river rafting and boating have led to a sharp increase in the number of tourists.
In November last year, SoU surpassed the USA’s Statue of Liberty in terms of daily footfall. While Statue of Liberty gets around 10,000 visitors daily, SoU witnessed an average of 15,036 visitors daily in November 2018.