Lucknow, Sept. 25 -- With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election only months away, the Yogi Adityanath government has allocated Rs 403 crore for the development and beautification of 4,030 sites housing Dr BR Ambedkar statues across the state.
The project covers all 403 Assembly constituencies, with 10 statue sites identified in each constituency. The timing of the scheme is significant as political parties intensify their outreach to Dalit voters ahead of the election.
Under the Dr BR Ambedkar Statue Site Development Scheme, an average of Rs 10 lakh will be available for each site. The maximum permissible expenditure has been fixed at Rs 40 lakh per site, depending on local requirements.
The government has set December 31, 2026 as the deadline for completing the work.
The project will include roofs over statues, boundary walls, railings and steps, finishing, lighting and greenery. Information boards measuring 3 feet by 2.5 feet will also be installed, giving details about the statue and the person it represents.
The scheme also allows old or damaged statues at public places to be replaced with new marble statues.
The govt says the objective is to protect public memorials and provide them with a clean, safe and dignified setting while promoting awareness of Ambedkar and other social reformers among younger generations.
The scheme assumes added political significance in Uttar Pradesh, where Ambedkar's legacy and Dalit representation have become key issues in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.