AKIPRESS.COM - The world's tallest statue is nearing completion in India, BBC reports.

It is designed to be a 182m (600ft) high tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a hero in India's independence struggle, in Gujarat state.

The Spring Temple Buddha in China is currently the world's biggest statue at 128 metres.

India's statue has cost 29.9bn rupees (£330m; $430m) and is seen as a pet project of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The "Statue of Unity", as it is known, will be inaugurated by the Indian leader on 31 October.

Mr Patel was a deputy to India's prime minister after independence in 1947.

The nationalist was known as the "Iron Man of India" after he persuaded feuding states to unite and become part of the Indian state after independence.