Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is likely to unveil nearly 40 statues, including six of her own, in Lucknow on July 3. She may also inaugurate the Kanshiram Memorial and Gautam Buddha Sthal, both being developed on VIP Road in Alambagh.

The CM may also inaugurate the two stupas being built at a cost of Rs 500 crore inside the Ambedkar Memorial complex in Gomtinagar.

Interestingly, while officials say the July 3 programme is only tentative, preparations are on in full swing. Arrangements are being made for a gathering of over 6,000 people at the Elephant Gallery of Ambedkar Memorial as furniture and water-proof tents have already been brought.   

Divisional Commissioner Prashant Trivedi, also the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) chairman, said nothing has been finalised for July 3 as construction work for memorials remained incomplete. While LDA is the nodal agency for the memorials, the work is being executed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN).

While UPRNN Managing Director CP Singh refused to discuss the issue, engineers on the spot said they are given instructions to complete the maximum work before July 3.

If a structure cannot be completed in the remaining 10 days, engineers said, they have been asked to make temporary arrangements and make the structure look as close to the design as possible on the day of the event. An estimated Rs 1 crore is being spent on the temporary construction.

An engineer cited an instance and said since stone work on the domes of the two stupas inside the Ambedkar Memorial cannot be completed by then, the domes are being coated with plaster of Paris. Next, these would be painted to match the pink stone used in construction.

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