In a tribute to one of India’s greatest visionaries, scholar and social reformist, government will soon unveil the highest statute of Swami Vivekananda at Ranchi Lake. The long pending project of installation of Vivekanand’s statue at an islet of Ranchi Lake has gained impetus. Almost after two-year of the approval of this mega venture, the installation work of sculpture is expected to get over soon.
According to the sources, the 33 feet figurine will be unveiled on January 12 – the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda by Chief Minister Raghubar Das. Besides, a series of events has been planned by the Government of Jharkhand to mark the National Youths’ Day celebration here.
Renowned artist, pioneer of monumental sculptures and a recipient of Padma Bhushan Ram V Sutar has designed the 33 feet bronze statue. The budget for designing the bronze figurine including other major restoration activities of Ranchi Lake is estimated around Rs. 15.5 crore.
The construction work of pillars for linking bridges is approximately complete, while as per the instructions of the Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning, the restoration task of pond on the line of Mumbai’s Marine Drive has been approved. The real estate company – Shapoorji Pallonji Group has assured to complete the civil construction work on or before January 2019. Around 142 pillars have been built inside the pond.
Notably, in January 2016, CM Raghubar Das laid the Foundation stone of this project with a vision to boost tourism, later in January 2017, the government owned metallurgical firm -- MECON limited had taken up the civil work there especially to assess the geophysical aspects of the site. For a while, Urmila Construction handled the project, however, was removed in the later phases for delay in constructing the pillars of bridge in stage – 1.
After crossing several stumbling block, the major part of giving a facelift to Ranchi Lake, considered as the lifeline of the State Capital by government of Jharkhand has been ensured. The project conceived by Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning in assistance with MECON Limited and other civil construction firms, the pond beautification, restoration project is being carried out under the supervision of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC).
Interestingly, the 33 feet carving of Swami Vivekananda is said to be the first of its kind in India and is expected to set a benchmark by grabbing coveted honor of the highest statue of Vivekananda set up in Jharkhand after the 22 feet Swami’s figurine at Nagpur decked up at a park, a year ago.