Mysore/Mysuru: The sculpting works of the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs, is going on in full swing, at the workshop of sculptor Suryaprakash Yogiraj, on Chamaraja Double Road in the city.

The statue of Devaraj Urs, popular as the champion of backward classes, is proposed to be installed at the premises of District Offices complex that includes Deputy Commissioner’s office, at Siddarthanagar on Bannur Road in city.

MLC A.H. Vishwanath, also a former MLA of Hunsur (the Constituency that was represented by Devaraj Urs, during his lifetime, in the Assembly) inspected the progress of works on carving the statue of Urs.

The work on sculpting the 12-feet tall statue of Urs has been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 92 lakh. Sculptor Suryaprakash, has been deftly carving the statue, on the basis of a thermocol model prepared after taking a cue from several other busts and photos of Urs.

Following the foundation laying ceremony by the District Administration in association with Department of Kannada and Culture on Feb. 19 this year, the stone to carve the statue was brought from a quarry   in Chamarajanagar.

Reacting to a query over the plans to unveil the statue of Urs, during the late former CM’s forthcoming birth anniversary celebrations on Aug. 20, Vishwanath told Star of Mysore that the works on carving the statue of Urs is going on expected lines, but it is doubtful that the statue will be unveiled on schedule. It may be unveiled at least before Dasara.

State President of Devaraja Urs Prathime Prathishtana Samiti Zakir Hussain was also present.