GUWAHATI, Nov 20 - The work for installing the bronze statue of legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan in the middle of River Brahmaputra along Guwahati has been progressing at a hectic pace, sources in the Tourism Department said today.
�We are working round the clock. ATDC, Gammon and sculptor Biren Singha are all working at tandem. Today we succeeded in joining the top portion of the statue,� said an official. He added that welding and casting works would start soon.
Asked if the Government is confident of finishing all the works on time for installing the statue at the pedestal by November 24 on the occasion of Lachit Divas, the official said, �We cannot make any commitment right now. Our priority is to ensure that the statue foundation is strong and it is able to withstand the swift currents and annual flood in the Brahmaputra. To undertake such a project in a river like the Brahmaputra is a challenge in itself. Lachit Borphukan is our national hero and we do not want to finish the work on the statue without ensuring that it is able to withstand the fury of nature just for the sake of a few days.�
He added, �It will be a permanent feature of Assam for the future generations. We have to ensure that the work is solid. Besides, the actual work on installation started only after the flood season was over.�
The entire installation comprises a 35-foot-high bronze statue of Lachit Borphukan, eight 18-foot statues of Ahom soldiers and two 32-foot-long cannons. The soldiers and cannons are made of fibre glass.
