Under the guidance of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, General Administration Department (GAD) has approved a 313-strong team of officers and employees to implement and manage various projects at the site of the world’s tallest statue, Statue of Unity (SoU).
The statue has been built under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) dam on the Narmada.
A special task force comprising different cadres of engineering, technical and administrative staff has been approved by GAD under the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (in short Kevadia Authority).
The Kevadia Authority has come into effect on February 1, 2020. The Gujarat Government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore as grant in aid in the State Budget for 2020-21 under Urban Development and Urban Housing Department for works and coordination.
As per the recent GAD resolution, the Kevadia Authority encompasses Jungle Safari, Children Nutrition Park, Mirror Maze, Valley of Flowers, Vishwa Van, Cacturs Garden, Butter Fly Garden, Arogya Van, Ekta Nursery, Dinotrail, Ekta Mall, Ekta Foodcourt, Ekta Dwar, Ekta Auditorium, Eco Tourism, Decorative Lightings, Unity Glow Garden, Garudeshwar Weir, Gora Bridge, Navigation Channel, two jetties, Ekta Cruise, Boat ride, river rafting, cycling, home stay, Shreshth Bharat Bhavan, Sardar Sarovar Resort, Budget Accommodation, Tent City I and II, and Solar Power.
It will also encompass basic infrastructure amenities like ticketing, unity smart card, free WiFi, website, mobile apps, water supply and gutter, roads, parking, decorative lights etc around 25 sq km area around Statue of Unity and their operations and maintenance.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who holds the GAD portfolio said the entire Statue of Unity Complex has been developed as Prime Minister’s Dream Project to attract tourists from all over the world.
The operation and maintenance work will be divided into different circles for different features of the complex, sub-divided into sections.
The 201-strong Administrative Circle is being headed by one CEO, two Additional Collectors, Revenue, Law and Order, Health, Sanitation, Tourism, IFS officers for Forests. And the 112-strong technical circle is being headed by two Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers for Civil, Electrical, etc, Town Planners, Fire Brigade and other staff.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust undertaking various projects will authorise the Kevadia Authority for contracts and agreements. GAD is filling up the posts, including deputation and outsourcing.
