Bengaluru (Karnataka): Work on installing a 108-feet statue of Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda began near the international airport at Devanahalli on the city's northern outskirts on his 510th birthday, an official said on Saturday.
"Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa laid the foundation stone for the statue of city founder Kempegowda near the airport where a 23-acre central park will also be built around it as a star attraction to thousands of visitors flying in and out of Bengaluru," the official told reporters.
The Rs 80-crore statute is likely to be built within a year.
Yediyurappa also unveiled a replica of the statue at the venue.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Congress state unit president D.K. Shivakumar, state Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan, state Revenue Minister R. Ashoka and others were also present on the occasion.
Born on June 27, 1510, at Magadi in the city's northwest suburb, Kempegowda built four towers in the north, south, east and west of the garden city, to limit its growth up to a point at 3,000-feet above the sea level.
He also developed water bodies, including lakes and tanks.
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"The Nadaprabhu's birthday celebration is meant to educate people on the founder's grand vision, and planning in building a futuristic city. Kempegowda's development works, including building the city's infrastructure during his regime continues to inspire us even after 500 years," said the official.
"The state government will also develop Kempapura village in Magadi taluk, where Kempegowda's tomb is present, as a historical destination," said Narayan.
The state's Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd will also develop Kempapura into an all-season tourist centre.
A state-run board which is managing the restoration and protection of Kempe Gowda monuments in the state will oversee the statue's construction."The statue has been a long-pending demand of the people of Karnataka," asserted Narayan.
With IANS inputs
