The face of weddings has changed in India enormously after the COVID-19 pandemic has struck- from a limit of only 50 guests to e-invites, sanitizers, and mandatory social distancing. But now in an attempt to boost and revive the sector post the 3-month lockdown, the Gujarat government has come up with a unique plan. And it involves the world’s tallest statue- the Statue of Unity.
#StatueofUnity & other tourist attractions in kevadia are closed until further notice. Who have already booked tickets, refund will be initiated shortly. Please stay at home & keep you and your family safe & healthy. #StayHomeStaySafe @PMOIndia @drrajivguptaias @GujaratTourism pic.twitter.com/iTYOFR0ZjX
— Statue Of Unity (@souindia) March 25, 2020
According to a report by Indian Express, a wedding venue called ‘Statue of Unity Tent City 1’ is to be opened up for bookings of destination weddings. It is located 4 KM away from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue on Dyke 4 of the Narmada Dam. It would boast of a total of 60 tents and 2 “Presidential Cottages”.
👉Sardar Sarovar Dam
Sardar Sarovar Dam, on the Indian Narmada river, is located in the village of Kevadia in the state of Gujarat. At a height of 128 m and growing, Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest dam on the Narmada.#sardarsarovardam #statueofunity #tentcity #india #place pic.twitter.com/rlyvfhOsXZ
— Statue of Unity Tent City (@narmadatentcity) April 14, 2020
As per Chetan Verma, who is the Operations Manager of the project, “The picturesque location and open-to-sky setting with Statue of Unity and Narmada Dam in the backdrop make for a perfect destination wedding.”
He continues, “We have drawn up packages for 50 persons as per the state government’s COVID guidelines. The cost per package is about Rs 2.5 lakh, which is extremely affordable as our cottages cost about Rs 12,000 each per night at the regular price (before the lockdown).”
The venue has previously hosted other official events like the World Bank Conference which saw the attendance of World Bank CEO David Malpass alongside Prime Minister Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Best wishes to the people of Gujarat. May the state scale newer heights of growth in the years to come.
Wishing you a very Happy Gujarat Day!#GujaratDay #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/mfzcXMSPhU— Statue of Unity Tent City (@narmadatentcity) May 1, 2020
Tent City 1 is currently being managed by a private event-management company based in Ahemdabad on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Chief Administrator of the Statue of Unity, Nilesh Dubey seems confident about the decision. He said, “Promoting the location for destination weddings is a good idea, and will be good for the Statue of Unity in the long run. We don’t have word yet on when tourist spots can open, but we are prepared. The Tent City is open.”
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