Jammu, Feb 26 (JKNS): As part of the ongoing media tour organised by the Press Information Bureau, Jammu led by the Director Ms. Neha Jalali, the visiting media delegation visited the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the iconic Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
During the visit to the Sardar Sarovar Dam, officials briefed the delegation on the technical and developmental aspects of one of India’s largest multipurpose river valley projects constructed on the Narmada River.
The dam has a height of 138.68 metres and a length of about 1.2 kilometres. It was informed that the Dam is designed with a gross storage capacity of approximately 9.5 billion cubic metres and plays a crucial role in irrigation, drinking water supply, and power generation. The Sardar Sarovar Project provides irrigation to around 18 lakh hectares of land in Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan, supplies drinking water to thousands of villages and several urban centres, and has an installed hydroelectric power generation capacity of 1,450 MW shared among Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
Officials briefed the delegation that the Sardar Sarovar Project is not only a major multipurpose river valley project but has also been developed as an integrated tourism destination. The complex has been developed with a range of facilities to attract visitors and promote sustainable tourism. The area includes attractions such as the Valley of Flowers, Arogya Van, the Miyawaki Forest, Cactus Garden, and the Ekta Cruise, offering recreational and educational experiences centred on nature, biodiversity, and wellness. These initiatives have significantly enhanced tourist footfall in the region. Officials informed that the development of the Statue of Unity and the surrounding tourism infrastructure has contributed to economic empowerment of local communities.
The delegation was also apprised of upcoming projects aligned with water conservation, nature, and biodiversity themes. These include upgradation of the Narmada Ghat area, development of the SoUADTGA Rain Forest, the proposed Gujarat Vandana Museum, and a Tribal Museum aimed at showcasing indigenous culture and heritage.
The delegation also visited the Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Inaugurated in October 2018, the statue stands at a height of 182 metres, making it the world’s tallest statue. The structure is constructed using reinforced concrete, structural steel, and bronze cladding, and overlooks the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. Officials informed the media team that the monument complex includes a museum, exhibition hall, viewing gallery at a height of about 153 metres, and other tourist facilities. Since its inauguration, the Statue of Unity has emerged as a major tourist destination, contributing to regional development, employment generation, and infrastructure growth in the surrounding area.
The delegation also visited the Sardar Patel Zoological Park at Ekta Nagar. The park, inaugurated in 2019 by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is spread across approximately 375 acres and has been developed as an integrated wildlife conservation and eco-tourism facility.
Commonly known as the Jungle Safari, the park houses a wide range of indigenous and exotic fauna, including carnivores, herbivores, reptiles, and aviary species, maintained in spacious, enclosures replicating their native habitats. Officials briefed the media team that the park has been designed with a focus on wildlife conservation, environmental awareness, and research, while also promoting sustainable tourism. Advanced animal care facilities, interpretation centres, and visitor amenities have been incorporated to enhance both conservation outcomes and visitor experience. The zoological park forms a major component of the tourism circuit developed around the Statue of Unity region, contributing to increased footfall and local economic activity.
The visit provided the media delegation with firsthand exposure to the engineering scale and socio-economic impact of these landmark projects. (JkNS)
