Ambedkar statue likely to come up near NTR Ghat

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is learnt to be proposing to install the 125-feet statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in the area adjacent to NTR Ghat near State Secretariat. The foundation stone for the statue would be laid on April 14, which happens to be the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. A committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, Minister Jagdish Reddy and Telangana State Public Service Commission chairman Ghanta Chakrapani visited the site on Sunday and inspected the place. The project is expected to cost around Rs 25 crore.
In the wake of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao favouring to set up a huge statue of 125 feet of Constitution architect Babasaheb Ambedkar to mark his 125th birth anniversary in the State capital, a cabinet sub-committee earlier on Sunday held a high-level meeting. The committee was in search of suitable place where the Ambedkar statue could be installed. On the sub-committee recommendation, Chandrashekar Rao’s decision would be final. The Chief Minister is to lay a foundation stone on April 14 and install the statue on the same day next year. Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari, heading the sub- committee, held the meeting attended by other members comprising Deputy Chief Minister Mahamood Ali, Ministers G Jagadish Reddy and Chandu Lal, Sanskritika Sarathi chairman Rasamayi Balakishan and MP Dr B Narsaiah Goud, GHMC Mayor Bontu Rammohan and Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy, Collector Rahul Bojja and other officials on Sunday.
The meeting focused on issues pertaining to arrangements for a public meeting and conduct year-long programmes followed by cultural events. It was decided to hold another meeting to take a final call on the location and an action plan. Later they made a tour to a few places including Borabanda where a Dalit Study Circle will be set up by the government.
On April 14, Chandrashekar Rao and other Ministers will pay tributes to Ambedkar by garlanding a statue near Tank Bund.