Mumbai: 35 per cent of Ambedkar memorial work completed, says MMRDA

The Dr B R Ambedkar memorial which is being built at the Indu Mills compound in Dadar wont be finished until 2026 but more than 35 per cent of the work has been completed according to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDAAn MMRDA official said ldquoThe anticipated date of completion is May 2026 In total 36 months are required to complete the projectmdash30 for the statue and six for external development work The detailed construction schedule by Ms Shapoorji Pallonji amp Company Private Limited is awaited To date 35 per cent of the work has been completedrdquoProgress reportHe added ldquoIf we look at the componentswise progress ancillary structures are 52 per cent complete 95 per cent of work related to two parking basements has been finished 80 per cent of work related to the entrance plaza has been completed while 70 per cent of the lecture hall 75 per cent of the library and 55 per cent of auditorium and exhibition foyer work has been completedrdquoThe official said ldquoIf we talk about the progress of monument and statue overall 18 per cent of work has been completed of which 45 per cent of pedestal building work is in progressrdquoThe statue comprises a structural steel armature skeleton clad with bronze metal skin panels A 25foot model has been approved by the government of Maharashtra and the work of the statue in 11 scale in thermocol for preparing moulds for bronze panels will start shortlyIn August this year a parliamentary committee on the welfare of scheduled cast and scheduled tribes chaired by MP Kirit Solanki visited the site of the memorialThe panel comprising 30 members including 25 Members of Parliament had the opportunity to witness the grandeur and significance of the memorial firsthandThe committee was presented with a detailed overview of the construction and design of the memorial by Dr Sanjay Mukherjee metropolitan commissioner MMRDAStatue detailsThe highlight of the memorial complex is the 350foot bronze statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar which will be atop a 100foottall pedestal The pedestal building comprises Chaitya Hall which has 24 copperclad rib domes an internal spiral ramp museum and exhibition gallery spaces and five lifts to transport visitors from the hall to the statue baseThe complex also boasts 68 per cent open green areas providing a serene and peaceful environment for visitors There is also a research centre with a 100seat lecture hall and library block as well as an auditorium with a capacity of 1000 seats An open meditation area spanning 1050 square metres is also included in the designThe project includes the development of a promenade along the seafront enhancing the overall experience for visitors and has been designed with green building certification in mind showcasing the commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices A total of R108995 crore will be spent on the projectldquoEmbodying Dr Ambedkarrsquos visionary legacy the grand memorial by MMRDA stands as a testament to cultural preservation and worldclass innovation With a majestic copperclad dome and a towering bronze statue it beckons seekers of knowledge and inspiration Inside a cool oasis awaits with airconditioned routes and underfloor cooling ensuring comfort for all As the green spaces embrace the masses this memorial becomes a beacon of hope for generations to come With lecture halls parking auditoriums and more it is a sanctuary for learning and reflection Let this iconic tribute ignite the spirit of progress in the hearts of all who visitrdquo said Dr Mukherjee