By TC News Desk
Agartala, 9th March 2025: The marble statue of Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister and a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement has been left neglected in Kumarghat. Installed with much fanfare at the confluence of two rivers in the Halaimura area of Kumarghat on October 31, 2022, the statue was intended to honor Patel’s enduring legacy. However, over the past year and a half, the monument has fallen into disrepair, shrouded in darkness and largely forgotten by the authorities and the public alike.
The initiative to install the statue, costing approximately two crore rupees, was spearheaded by former minister Bhagwan Chandra Das. The statue is made of marble which was transported from New Delhi in specially arranged vehicles and unveiled under the supervision of the sub-district administration. Initially, the installation generated significant attention and admiration, but this enthusiasm has since waned.
Local residents report that as the sun sets, the statue is enveloped in complete darkness due to the absence of lighting in the area. The neglected condition of the site has allowed anti-social elements to frequent the vicinity after nightfall. Moreover, several parts of the statue’s base have crumbled due to poor maintenance, reflecting a lack of oversight by the responsible authorities.
Adding to the statue’s obscurity is the ongoing construction of a drinking water treatment plant in Halaimura. The plant’s work has resulted in road closures, making it difficult for citizens to access the area and view the statue. Residents of Kumarghat attribute the negligence to the Kumarghat Municipal Council and the Sub-Divisional Administration accusing them of failing to ensure the upkeep of the monument.
The neglect of Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue stands in stark contrast to the heightened recognition the leader has received in recent years. The BJP government, after coming to power in 2014, has emphasized Patel’s contributions by installing the colossal Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which has become a global attraction. Patel, known as one of the most radical leaders of the independence movement, is often remembered for his unyielding determination and administrative acumen. Many BJP leaders assert that Patel did not receive adequate recognition in the past due to his divergence from the Gandhi family’s political influence.
While the Tripura government sought to honor Patel’s legacy through the Kumarghat statue, its current state paints a different picture. Local residents are calling for immediate intervention to restore and preserve the monument, ensuring that Vallabhbhai Patel’s memory is given the respect it deserves.
