Life-Size Gandhi Statue Plan Shelved Due to Stability IssuesLife-Size Gandhi Statue Plan Shelved Due to Stability Issues The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) has abandoned plans to install a towering statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Nelson Mandela Marg due to concerns over its stability. The statue, measuring 50 feet tall with a 10-foot foundation, posed a risk of collapse in strong winds. Despite consulting with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, officials were unable to find a feasible solution to stabilize the lightweight statue, which weighed approximately 1,100 pounds. The statue was designed to resemble the one in Gyarah Murti on Sardar Patel Marg and was intended to be visible from a distance. PWD officials stated that the statue could have become loose or toppled in high winds, leading to a “national disgrace.” To prevent such an incident, they ordered contractors to consult with experts, but no satisfactory solution was found. While the statue plan has been shelved, officials reported that the rest of the beautification project on Nelson Mandela Road has been completed. Sidewalks, walkways, bike paths, and landscaping have been upgraded, creating a more visually appealing and accessible environment. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 19.16 crore, and it involved the renovation of a 500-meter stretch of the central verge and a kilometer-long pavement. The street improvement efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for residents and commuters in Munirka, Vasant Kunj, and South Delhi.
After several attempts to install a life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Nelson Mandela Marg, the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to shelve the ambitious plan. No solution could be found to keep the statue stable, officials said.
The statue, 50 feet tall and with a 10-foot foundation, was to be a unique feature of the redevelopment and beautification project of the stretch. But it weighed about 1,100 pounds, which officials said was light compared to its height. With those specifications, it would pose stability issues, officials had previously said.
“The statue could have become loose or toppled if a strong wind blew… it would have been a national disgrace… To avert such a disaster, PWD officials had directed the contractors to consult the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, but no concrete solution could be found…” officials said.
“The project has been stopped,” they added.
The statue of Gandhi holding a stick was to resemble the statue at Gyarah Murti on Sardar Patel Marg. The head and torso were made separately using reinforced fibres. The idea behind the project was to ensure that the statue was visible even from a distance.
Meanwhile, officials reported that the rest of the beautification work had been completed early, with sidewalks and walkways being renewed, bike paths being constructed and planting work being done.
“We have completed the civil work. Electrical work like installation of ornamental poles and decorative lights has also been done. We have also developed a small park with palm trees and several other plantations near the Vasant Kunj Mall area,” another official said.
The Nelson Mandela Road connects parts of Munirka and goes to Vasant Kunj and other parts of South Delhi.
A 500-metre-long stretch of the central verge of this road and a nearly kilometre-long pavement were renovated as part of the Delhi government’s ambitious streetscape project.
The estimated cost of redeveloping the stretch was Rs 19.16 crore.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 08-07-2024 at 06:10 IST
