VADODARA: The 182-metre tall Statue of Unity (SOU) at Kevadiya is attracting large number of tourists, most of whom are queuing up to get a top view of the Vindhya and Saputara mountain ranges from the viewing gallery. But, over past few days, visitors are returni-ng disappointed. One of the two lifts that takes people to the viewing gallery at the height of 153 metres of the statue has not been functioning properly over last few days.Visitors are compelled to wait for hours for their turn to reach the viewing gallery and this is leading to frequent heated arguments with the security and administrative officials there. SOU’s top officials admitted that one of the lifts is facing glitches and causing inconvenience to people. “There is a technical problem in the lift and the company that has installed it has sent its staff to identify the issue and resolve it on Thursday,” said I K Patel, chief administrator, SOU.“I also visited the SOU and met the company officials to find out a permanent solution to the issue. We will sort out the problem,” Patel told TOI.On Tuesday and Wednesday, the SOU premises witnessed heated arguments between angry visitors and the staff. Many who had bought the tickets for the viewing gallery demanded refund. SOU officials said the statue has two lifts and each lift has capacity of 25 persons each. Visitors have to buy ticket for the viewing area and wait in queue for their turn to reach the viewing gallery.The SOU officials had to face an embarrassing moment right on the day of the statue’s inauguration as the lift had stopped working minutes after Modi left the venue on October 30. Hundreds of visitors were stranded near the viewing gallery and many of them had to walk down the stairs.

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