AAI allots Rs.52 lac for Sardar Patel statue at Ahmedabad airport

Lately the Airport Authority of India(AAI) has initiated process of making and installing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue at Ahemdabad’s Sardar Patel international airport.

The statue was promised by central Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on 4 July in public function to open new terminal of Ahmedabad’s international airport.

Reacting to another central minister Dinsha Patel’s demand, Praful Patel had announced in his speech that Sardar Patel’s grand statue will be installed at Ahmedabad airport before next Sardar Patel birth anniversary. However there was no progress in this direction on 31st October which is Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary date.

It could be couple of stories in media that possibly reminded Praful Patel his promise, after which the Airport Authority came into action.

According to sources in AAI, the estimated cost of the statue and its installation has been fixed as Rs. 51.92 lacs. Ahmedabad Airport’s Assistant General Manager(Engineering – Civil) has invited tenders for the work. Tenders will be issued on 22 November and are to be opened on 25 November. Time allowed for completing the work is 45 days after order is given.

It should be noted here that though Ahmedabad’s international airport is named after Sardar Patel, his statue is absent here. There’s only one photograph of Sardar Patel on wall somewhere in new terminal. This photograph was presented to the AAI by Swanminarayan Mandir.