UP: For 'world's tallest' Ram statue, search for architect begins
What's the story
For the world's tallest statue of Lord Ram, the Uttar Pradesh government has started the hunt for architect and the design consultant, HT reports.
The statue will be installed on the banks of river Sarayu in the temple town of Ayodhya.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be visiting Ayodhya on November 6 and during the Deepotsav festivities, an announcement is expected.
The plan
Here's what a senior official of state government said
Divulging details about the project, a senior official of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) said, "The tender for selecting the architect and design consultant was floated and the shortlisted firms gave a presentation before the chief minister."
He added some changes were suggested and a fresh presentation will be made incorporating them.
After the architect is finalized, the construction agency will be chosen.
Other statues
The total height of the statue would be 201 meter
While the height of the statue would be 151-meter, the pedestal below will be 50-meter high, which means the total height will be 201-meter.
The idols of other deities don't fare well as compared to this proposed statue.
The Paritala Anjaneya Temple in Andhra Pradesh has 41-meter tall statue of Lord Hanuman. Another statue which is coming up in Madapam is 53-meter high.
The idea
Saryau river will be developed to boost tourism
To boost tourism, the banks of the Sarayu river will also be developed.
Notably, on September 25 the UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam floated a tender asking interested firms to make a project on 'Sarayu River front development and construction of Shri Ram Statue at Ayodhya UP'.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 775 crore.