Amaravati, March 16(HS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday unveiled a 58-foot bronze statue of freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

The statue was installed at Shakhamuru Park as part of a memorial project to honour Sriramulu, who is revered as Amarajeevi for his sacrifice in the movement for a separate state for Telugu-speaking people.

Potti Sriramulu had undertaken a fast-unto-death which lasted 58 days before his demise on December 15, 1952. His sacrifice eventually led to the formation of Andhra State from the then Madras State and paved the way for the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines across the country.

According to officials, the first phase of the memorial project has been completed at a cost of ₹150 crore on a 6.8-acre site. The statue, constructed by the Potti Sriramulu Memorial Trust within six months, used about 26 tonnes of bronze and 42 tonnes of iron.

Officials said the second phase of the project will include the construction of a museum, photo gallery, auditorium and a skill development centre at the memorial complex.

The government said the memorial is being developed to commemorate the life and sacrifice of Sriramulu and to inspire future generations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar