Balasore, Dec. 8: A life-size statue of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will be installed on Chandipur beach next month.

The Golden Beach Festival Committee has planning the statue with support from the district administration.

"Since Kalam had special love, affection and attachment for Chandipur and he spent a major part of his life at the interim test range here, the committee has decided to erect a statue near the beach close to the Casuarina Guest House," said secretary of the beach festival committee Bismoy Mohanty.

The statue of the former president will be unveiled during the beach festival, scheduled to be held next month. The venue has already been identified and groundwork has begun. Mohanty said the statue would be unveiled on January 7, tentatively on the opening day of the festival.

Balasore MLA Jiban Pradip Dash has given Rs 5.6 lakh from the local area development fund.

"The height of the statue and the pedestal together will be around 16 feet. The statue will be made of black granite stone and local artisans of Soro and Nilgiri having expertise in the construction have been engaged," said Mohanty.

District collector Pramod Kumar Das said: "The administration will extend all possible help to the festival committee for setting up the statue."