Gujurat to have tallest statue

This item appears on page 38 of the July 2018 issue.

On Sadhu Island in Gujurat, western India, what will be the world’s tallest statue is expected to be completed in October 2018. “The Statue of Unity” will depict Vallabhbhai Patel, who was simultaneously the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister (1947-1950) of independent India. 

Not counting its short pedestal, the steel statue will be 597 feet tall, more than 100 feet taller than the current tallest statue, the Spring Temple Buddha (420 feet) in Lushan, China. Within the statue, an observation level capable of holding 200 people is planned at 501 feet.