The Gujarat government has planned to connect Shabri Dham in Dang with the Statue of Unity in Narmada with a 218-kilometer corridor at the cost of ₹1,670 crores to connect the tourist circuit. Roads will be expanded in the existing corridor, connecting Saputara, Shabri Dham, Songadh, Devmogra, Mathasar, and Zarwani. They will also construct new roads in the missing links. The government has also decided to build a 135-km coastal highway connecting Saurashtra with Central and South Gujarat.
PM Modi Inaugurated New Tourist Attractions Near Statue Of Unity
If there’s one monument that has always been in the news and in the hearts of tourists from across India, it’s got to be the Statue of Unity. Taking things up a notch, PM Modi inaugurated four new tourist attractions, Arogya Van, Ekta Mall, Children’s Nutrition Park and Sardar Patel Zoological Park and Jungle Safari, near the Statue of Unity. And that’s not it! There more 17 new projects in the queue, including a seaplane. Indian Railways will finally put the Statue of Unity, World’s Tallest statue on India’s Rail Map. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off eight trains connecting Kevadiya to different parts of the country. The Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will boost connectivity to the tribal region in Gujarat. A total of 10 trains will be connected to Kevadiya, out of which three trains have been extended, and seven trains are newly introduced for their regular run.
He also inaugurated a health forest spread over 17 acres with a wide range of medicinal plants. Ekta Mall is a unique store near Statue of Unity where tourists can purchase handloom and handicraft products from various states. The two-floors air-conditioned complex is spread over 35,000 square feet and houses 20 emporia.
Gujarat Government Reopens Statue Of Unity
Gujarat reopens the Statue of Unity in the Narmada district on October 17. The state is taking complete measures against coronavirus. The tallest statue in the world stands tall at 182 meters. And it’s dedicated to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In January 2020, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation declared the Statue of Unity as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Also Read: Gujarat’s Statue Of Unity Will Soon Become Plastic-Free
Only 2500 People Can Visit The Statue Of Unity Daily
As per the statement issued by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), “Maximum 2,500 tourists will be permitted every day, of which only 500 will be permitted up to the viewing gallery.” According to official data, during November 2019, the Statue of Liberty witnessed an average of 15,036 tourists. This is more than the visitors at the Statue of Liberty.
Also Read: Statue Of Unity Makes It To Times 100 Greatest Places In The World
Tourists Must Purchase Tickets Online For The Designated Time Slots
SSNNL divided the visitors’ slot in the following manner. It allocated 5 slots of 2 hours each for daily entry. And only 500 visitors can enter in each slot. Visitors can get an entry for only the slots they purchase the tickets for. The government has also made it clear that tickets will be available on the authorised website “www.soutickets.in” only. And no physical tickets will be issued on-site. Again, it goes without saying that masks are mandatory for all tourists and visitors should maintain social distancing to the t. For the time being, take a virtual tour to the Statue of Unity through this video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hoYkEjn17s