Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity is located on the Narmada river, near the city of Rajpipla and town of Kevadia. The nearest airport is about 100 km away.
New Delhi: India is now home to the tallest statue in the world — a 182-metre high tribute to the country’s first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The statue, built in Patel’s home state of Gujarat, was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi Wednesday.
Apart from paying tribute to the late leader, the statue is also meant to boost tourism. But do you know where it is and how to get there?
The Statue of Unity has been built on the Narmada river near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, also named after the late leader. The nearest town is Kevadia, and the nearest city is Rajpipla, about 25 kilometres away.
Rajpipla, the seat of an eponymous former princely state, is popular for its temples and waterfalls. Kevadia is a tribal-dominated town that’s a go-to spot for bird-watchers and nature lovers.
Also read: Even if Statue of Unity becomes as famous as Taj Mahal, we may need 120 years to break even
No easy way
There are three ways to reach the Statue of Unity by air — via Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad. None of them is particularly close, though — Vadodara airport is about 95 kilometres away, Surat 164 kilometres and Ahmedabad about 200 kilometres.
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation does run buses from Ahmedabad to Rajpipla, and you can find four options for online bookings. The journey takes about three hours by car, and more than double by bus. There are many public transport options from Rajpipla to Kevadia, and some direct options from Ahmedabad to Kevadia too, since it’s a popular weekend destination for Gujaratis.
If you choose to travel via Vadodara, the road travel time is reduced by about two hours each.
From Surat, there is an additional option of rail travel — the Navjeevan Express takes five hours and 20 minutes to reach Rajpipla.
The biggest problem right now for tourists will be to get from Kevadia to the statue itself, because there are no taxi or bus services. Tourists will have to rely on auto-rickshaw drivers, who may charge exorbitant prices. Language could also prove to be a barrier, given the tribal-dominated nature of the region.
Nita Mahadev, a resident of Rajpipla, says: “Taking a personal vehicle is the only option since there is no taxi service available.”
The Statue of Unity website mentions a bus service priced at Rs 30, but the pick-up and drop points are not mentioned. A parking option is also mentioned, but details about the facility are sketchy as yet.
Also read: The inside story of how ‘Statue of Unity’ helped make Narendra Modi Prime Minister in 2014
Limited options for stay
The Gujarat government, in the last year, has built restaurants, golf courses and hotels in Kevadia to accommodate tourists, while another ongoing project is set to build 250 tents and a three-star hotel.
Rajpipla has very few hotels, with the only one listed online being Rajvanth Palace Resort, a heritage hotel. Better options are available only in the cities of Surat and Vadodara.
“The Print” is the biggest liar in the world
Your negative mindset is thoroughly exposed as it has become one of the most visited sites.Please give it some time before other auxiliary facilities are put in place instead of criticising everything.
Means there is a huge opportunity for Locals for employment in Taxi, Auto, Bus, Restaurants, Hotels, Homestays, etc. Will be a economic boost for the region. That’s why Congress & Commies, Liberals & Seculars, Hatemongering gang Opposed the Sardar Statue. People will benefit.
Lot of tarffic chaos don’t venture unless is fully streamlined.we waited for two hours 7 kms away from site and returned back.spending huge amount on hotel stay to try next day
“Nita Mahadev, a resident of Rajpipla, says: Taking a personal vehicle is the only option since there is no taxi service available.”… She resides in Ahmedabad, opposite Sabarmati Ashram, is a renowned Gandhian
Sir
Many state (GST n MST) transport available for rajpipla from Ahmedanad, Vadoara , Bhurach, Surat.
Lical taxi are also available from Vadodara.
Even Kutch Rann is not a Bus service. But about 2.50Lakha Tourist reach. At least now when we make biggest statue havbe to come out our Negative Thinking. Anything happen we _ Indian people – starting to think this will not sucess. Even when first time Modi said ” In my DNA not think small things as such I think to make a status more than Double of Americas Liberty ” people said IMPOSSIBLE. So, we must appreciated efforts of Modi and assure than about 1.5 Crore Tourist will come to visit Statues . Booking start at http://www.kutchtravels com shortely
There is no train service between Surat and Rajpipla.