Hyderabad, April 14 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao along with BR Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar on Friday unveiled the 125-feet tall statue of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar on the banks of Hussainsagar, near the new Secretariat complex here on the occasion of the latter's 132nd birth anniversary.

Thousands of Dalits from all over the state witnessed the event as Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has operated 750 buses for the public.

Before unveiling the state, flower petals showered on the statue from a helicopter. Claimed to be the tallest statue in the country, the iconic structure of Ambedkar project was completed at a cost of Rs 147 crore.

The statue weighs 474 tonnes, while 360 tonnes of stainless steel was used for building the armature structure of the statue, 114 tonnes of bronze was used for casting of the statue.

The statue was designed by renowned 98-year-old renowned Sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar.

The statue installed has three floors with a total built-up area of 26,258 sq ft. This structure housed a museum which has several articles and pictures depicting the life history of Ambedkar and a 100-seater auditorium for presenting audio-visuals of Ambedkar’s life.

The entire project premises spread over 11 acres has been beautified with landscape and greenery in 2.93 acres, besides providing parking facility for about 450 cars. There are two lifts for visitors reaching the top of the pedestal to reach the feet of Ambedkar.

The statue was adjacent to the newly built state secretariat,which has also been named after Ambedkar.

The new secretariat complex will be inaugurated on April 30.