A statue that will dwarf the Statue of Liberty, and every other statue in the world, is under construction in India, due to be completed in October. But, it's unlikely that the controversy the project has raised will be over for a long time.
The 182-metre tall Statue of Unity, built of cement and recycled iron, is in the form not of an allegorical figure, but rather the very recognizable image of India's first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Patel, who died in 1950, played a key role in unifying India's hundreds of princely states into the new republic.
Opponents of the $325 million project, set on a small river island in Gujarat coast, say it's a waste, and that Patel himself would have objected to spending the money, while defenders say the statue will serve to reinforce unity, patriotism, growth and good government, calling it "a fully functional purpose-serving tribute that will spur all round socio-economic development."
One aspect of that socio-economic development is an amusement park, 3-star hotel and gardens being built nearby to attract visitors. The statue will also have a viewing gallery at the 150-metre level, perhaps drawing even more visitors.
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