Maharashtra CM Fadnavis vows to complete Ambedkar memorial by December 6 next year

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the state is committed to ensuring that the grand memorial for Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mill in Mumbai's Dadar is completed by December 6 next year. Speaking at Chaityabhoomi on the 69th Mahaparinirvan Day, he said construction is underway and the government will make every effort to meet the deadline.

The Maharashtra government had also appointed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority as the Special Planning Authority for the 4.84-hectare project in 2013, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the bhoomi pujan on October 11, 2015, reported news agency PTI.

Envisioned as a ‘Shanti Sthala', the memorial will feature gardens reflecting Ambedkar's life and philosophy, a towering bronze-clad statue, and facilities including a 1,000-seat auditorium, lecture halls, a library, conference rooms, a meditation centre, a Parikrama Path, administrative offices, and parking, reported PTI.

In May 2022, the state set up a cabinet sub-committee under the Social Justice Department to coordinate the project. The site lies close to Chaityabhoomi, where lakhs gather every year on December 6 to pay homage to Ambedkar, who passed away on this day in 1956.

Thousands gather at Chaityabhoomi; Governor and CM hail Ambedkar's enduring legacy

Thousands of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar gathered at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai's Dadar on Saturday to pay homage on his death anniversary, observed as Mahaparinirvan Din. Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray were among the dignitaries who offered tributes at the memorial.

Governor Devvrat said Ambedkar gifted India a Constitution that ensured equal rights to all, noting that great leaders live on through their thoughts and work. Despite adversities, Ambedkar believed in the transformative power of education, he said.

Fadnavis highlighted Ambedkar's far-sighted vision, saying he laid the foundation for India's progress and contributed to the nation's energy security through the concept of a national power grid. He added that India, now the world's fourth-largest economy, is on track to reach third place soon. The state government, he said, remains committed to completing developmental works at the Chaityabhoomi complex.

Shinde said Ambedkar's lifelong struggle centred on equality, liberty, justice and fraternity, and that his call to "Educate, Organise and Agitate" continues to inspire social change.

The Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and several ministers, MPs, MLAs and dignitaries laid floral tributes at the memorial and visited a BMC-organised photo exhibition. A helicopter showered flower petals over Chaityabhoomi, and attendees received copies of the Constitution.

Every year, thousands converge at the site on December 6; Ambedkar passed away on this day in 1956. To manage the crowd, the BMC set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets, drinking water facilities and medical stalls at Shivaji Park.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Ambedkar's "visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and constitutionalism", saying his ideals continue to illuminate India's path toward building a Viksit Bharat.

(With PTI inputs)