Bangaloreans! You might know Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), more commonly as Bangalore International Airport. So if you wondered why Kempegowda? And more importantly, who is Kempegowda? Then the government will answer your queries. Bangalore International Airport is all set to get a massive 108-feet tall Kempegowda statue costing around ₹78 crores. Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa laid the foundation of the statue on June 27. This was on the 511th birth anniversary of Kempegowda. He was the chieftain of the Vijayanagara dynasty, who founded Bangalore city hundreds of years ago. The 108 feet Kempegowda statue will be built by the Uttar Pradesh based father-son duo of Ram V Sutar and Anil R Sutar, who earlier worked on Gujarat’s Statue Of Unity, the world’s tallest statue.
Bangalore Airport To Get 108-Feet Tall Kempegowda Statue
A 108-feet tall statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda will be installed outside the Bangalore International Airport. The statue of the Bangalore founder holding a sword in hand will witness installation. The project involves the installation of the statue and the establishment of a central theme park spanning over 23 acres of land near the airport. The government will build the park to highlight the life and achievements of Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore. The statue and park will cost an estimated amount of ₹78 crores in total. Bangalore Airport also recently opened its premises to cyclists every Sunday.
Statue Of Unity Sculptors Will Build This Kempegowda Statue
The father-son duo of Ram V Sutar and Anil R Sutar from Uttar Pradesh will build this statue. They earlier worked on the 27-foot bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed between Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha. They also designed the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Statue of Unity, tallest statue in the world. Dr C N Ashwathnarayan is the Deputy Chief Minister and vice-president of the Kempegowda Development Authority. He confirmed the delegation of the work for this statue to noted sculptors.
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The State Government laid down certain specifications for the bronze statue. The statue will be in a standing position with a sword in hand. Dr C N Ashwathnarayan states to media houses that the government allocated funds for this project in the budget. The noted sculptors will build the statue in Uttar Pradesh, according to government sources. The government officials will transport parts of the statue and assemble it in Karnataka. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, Bangalore Airport imposed new social distancing rules.
Kempegowda Is The Founder Of Bangalore
To mark the occasion of the 511th anniversary Kempegowda, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa performed a Bhoomi Pooja on June 27 to commence work on the 108-feet tall statue of the Bangalore-founder, Kempegowda. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister revealed that due to Kempegowda’s vision, Bangalore today has hundreds of lakes and places like Chickpet, Akkipet, Balepet and Kumbarpet, that are still major commercial hubs.
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He reveals, “It’s because of him that Bengaluru became a planned city. Now, there is a need to give a new dimension to the city. There is a need to improve basic amenities, health, education, waste and traffic management. We are committed to this.” Interestingly leaders from various other parties also participated in this foundation event. This includes Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and KPCC president-designate D K Shivakumar, along with BJP ministers and Deputy CMs. In the meantime, if you wish to take a tour of Bangalore from the comfort of your home, go on a city walk to Malleshwaram, one of the oldest areas on the city through this video.