YS Jagan orders panel to monitor Ambedkar Smriti Vanam works

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy asked the officials to form a high-level committee to monitor the progress of Dr BR Ambedkar Smriti Vanam works at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada.

Taking stock of the progress of works at a review meeting here on Friday, the Chief Minister asked the officials to expedite the works to ensure that the 125-foot-tall bronze statue of Dr BR Ambedkar would be inaugurated on April 14, 2023 tentatively scheduled on his birth anniversary.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that the statue, to be made with 352 metric tons of steel and 112 metric tons of brass, would be installed on an 81-feet pedestal taking the total length to 206-foot.

The Rs 268 crore worth Smriti Vanam project would have a ground plus two floors in the pedestal part besides a 2000-capacity convention center with spacious car and a bus parking facility.

“The quality of work is non-negotiable and the progress of works should be monitored by a committee to be constituted,” said Jagan. The officials informed the Chief Minister that arrangements have been made to complete the casting of the statue by March 31.

The casting of certain parts of the statue has been completed and would be shifted to the project site by January 31, said the officials. The enhancement of the statue at the project site and roads leading up to the statue are in process, they added.