Government order: no structure higher than memorial to be built in the area

Spread over 123 acres on the banks of the Gomti, this expanse of stonework is the mother of all memorials that the Government is building. Nothing about the memorial is modest, be it the size or the money spent—over Rs 600 crore.

Originally, it was a more modest project designed by Satish Gujral, spread over 25 acres, and work on it began during Mayawati’s first term in 1995. The project was completed in 2002 at a cost of Rs 150 crore by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). After Mayawati became Chief Minister again last year, she decided to revamp it. The Ambedkar Sahitya Sansthan and Museum, Satkar Bhawan and the adjacent Ambedkar Stadium were razed. In the last one year, Rs 360 crore has been spent, and another Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the project, to be completed by March 2009. The state government has given the LDA Rs 160 crore for the maintenance of the structure once it is complete. The UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) is working on the project.

The new design has nothing in common with Gujral’s, which had a main dome, a multipurpose complex, a lake and a museum with paintings of Dalit icons. The lake has been done away with; buildings are being added. Under the dome is a hollow, housing a big statue of B.R. Ambedkar. A gallery dedicated to Ambedkar is under construction—its estimated cost is Rs 60 crore—and it will house statues of Mayawati and five other Dalit icons. Massive, ornamental stone gates are being built. Several columns mounted with elephant heads carved in stone are being erected. The government has issued instructions that no structure higher than the memorial should be built in the area.

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