The Statue of Unity, towering at an impressive 182 meters, is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Iron Man. As the tallest statue in the world, it attracts visitors from around the globe. While the statue itself is a masterpiece of engineering and design, the foundation and surrounding areas play a crucial role in complementing its grandeur. DEPL Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. had the privilege of undertaking the exterior painting work of these foundation structures, ensuring they reflected the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and met the stringent quality standards expected for a national landmark.
DEPL’s Contribution to the Project
Our scope of work involved applying exterior paint to the foundation and surrounding concrete panels. These areas were made of cast-in-situ gray concrete, designed to mimic the natural stone textures and colors of the adjacent landscape. The challenge for DEPL Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. was to replicate this appearance accurately while ensuring long-term durability and protection of the surfaces.Approach and Strategy
To achieve this goal, Protec Guard Color from Guard Industry was selected due to its proven durability and versatility in offering varied color finishes. However, the complexity of the project went beyond choosing the right product—it was about executing the work within an extremely tight timeframe without compromising on quality. With the statue’s grand inauguration set for October 31, 2018, our team was given just a few months to complete the exterior painting. The final order was placed in July 2018, and the project had to be completed by the end of September. This left a limited window for both product delivery and on-site execution. We needed to ensure that each panel of the foundation was painted uniformly while also achieving a unique, natural look that blended seamlessly with the environment.Addressing the Challenges
Tight Schedule and Efficient Planning: The tight completion period required precise planning and effective resource management. Our strategy involved breaking down the project into smaller, manageable sections and deploying multiple teams to work simultaneously on different areas. Each team was briefed and trained specifically for their designated task to avoid any loss of time during execution.Skilled Workforce and Supervision: Given the complexity of creating varying hues on each concrete panel, we employed a team of highly skilled painters with experience in architectural concrete finishes. These workers were supervised by an experienced project manager who ensured that the application adhered to the project specifications and quality standards. Our supervisors were present on-site throughout the project, monitoring the progress, and ensuring that any issues were addressed promptly.
Seamless Coordination and Application: To replicate the texture and color of natural stone, we used a combination of two base shades with three different opacities, creating a realistic appearance. This required a high level of expertise in mixing and applying the paint to ensure consistency across panels while maintaining the individuality of each surface. The on-site supervision team provided continuous guidance, making real-time adjustments to achieve the desired finish.
Logistics and Product Management: Importing the product from France within the short timeframe added to the logistical challenge. With meticulous planning and coordination between our procurement team and the supplier, we ensured that the materials arrived on schedule. This allowed us to commence the work without delay, keeping the project on track for completion.