More than 5 lakh tourists are expected to visit Gujarat’s Statue of Unity during the New Year. Do you know?

Over 5 lakh visitors are expected to visit the Statue of Unity in Gujarat for New Year celebrations. The iconic site has witnessed a significant surge in the number of visitors ever since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in the country. As the country is all set to welcome New Year 2024, a record-breaking number of tourists, exceeding five lakh, are anticipated to visit the iconic Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, built in Gujarat. Notably, during Christmas Eve (between December 23 and 25), more than 2 lakh tourists flocked to the site.

COVID impact on Statue of Unity

Across the country, the last week of December witnessed a significant surge in travellers celebrating Christmas and the New Year. This year, Gujarat’s Statue of Unity is poised to witness a record-breaking influx of tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada district on October 31, 2018. However, due to the two-year-long impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the site experienced a decline in visitors, and for a considerable time, it remained closed. However, after the lifting of COVID restrictions, the iconic site in Kevadia has experienced a consistent rise in visitor numbers, and this year’s figures are expected to surpass previous records.

Estimated Tourists Per Day at the Statue of Unity

This projection is based on the fact that during the long weekend around Christmas, 2 lakh visitors arrived in just three days. With another long weekend anticipated for the New Year, the figures may cross the four lakh mark. Notably, a record was set on Saturday when an astounding 80,000 tourists visited within a single day. On Christmas day, December 25, the monument welcomed 70,000 tourists. The Statue of Unity stands as the world’s tallest statue and offers a myriad of entertainment options for visitors. In the last week of December 2022, over two lakh tourists visited, while this year’s estimate may go past four lakh.

Attractions at the Statue of Unity

Whether it’s river rafting for the youth, a children’s nutrition park for kids, different gardens for the elderly, or a health and wellness forest for those interested in botany, the site caters to various interests. Additionally, a Unity Cruise operates amidst the picturesque hills, and at night, the ‘Narmada Aarti’ takes place along the Narmada River, accompanied by a digital show.

Height and Weight of Statue of Unity

The total height of the structure is 240 m (790 ft), with a base of 58 m (190 ft) and the statue measuring 182 m (597 ft). The height of 182 metres was specifically chosen to match the number of seats in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

The Statue of Unity weighs around 67,000 tonnes and was designed to survive significant earthquakes as well as strong winds. Approximately 12,000 bronze panels weighing over 1,850 tonnes were utilized on the exterior.

Cost of Statue of Unity

Now if you are wondering about the Statue of Unity cost of construction, here’s an estimate. Funded partly by the state and the central government through the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust, the Sardar Patel statue cost a staggering INR 2,989 crore (407 million US dollars).

This Article is Written By Khabar Khzana

Timing and Entry Fee

The operating hours for the Statue of Unity are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day from Tuesday to Sunday. The Laser Light and Sound Show is available daily starting at 7:00 p.m., excluding Mondays. The site is closed on Mondays to facilitate maintenance work.