109-foot NTR statue planned in Andhra Pradesh, govt to acquire land

The Andhra Pradesh government headed by CM Chandrababu Naidu has announced once again that it will install a 109-foot statue of former Chief Minister N Tarakarama Rao (NTR).

 

According to a press statement by AP CM's office by, the NTR memorial project will be located on Nirukonda hill in Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. CM Chandrababu Naidu observed the designs by Larsen & Toubro's Designs Associates earlier this week.

 

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 406 crores, it was decided that a majority of the funding would be pooled through contributions in a trust, which would be responsible for the project. The statue of NTR is expected to be as tall as 36 metres.

 

CM Naidu has advised the Amaravati Development Corporation CMD Lakshmi Parthasarathi to develop the site into a commercial hub as well as a tourist spot to create sources of income. 

 

It's proposed that the statue would be made of copper, as per an official meeting of the CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority). According to official estimations, the construction of the statue would cost Rs 155 crores, while another Rs 122.5 crores would go towards the the premises where it will be constructed.

 

An internal lift system is also being planned for the statue, so visitors will be have a panoramic view of the city from it. The project also includes a waterfront attached to a special reservoir, an auditorium, a ferry and a selfie point along with a theatre, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and resorts. 

 

The statue will require 14 acres of land, while another 70 to 80 acres would be needed for the reservoir. The company has agreed to finish the project in 48 months, it will begin on 19th of this month, along with five other towers of Secretariat building.

 

The meeting, which held earlier this week, was also attended by Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana and CRDA  Chief Secretary Ajay Jain. It is however to be noted that the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has made this announcement multiple times from 2016 and no one in the government is sure if this project would materialise and what is the necessity for it.