Visitors thronging the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, in the past few days are being greeted to an unusual sight: a flooded viewing gallery and water dripping from the roof of the exhibition halls.

Tourists have been sharing videos of puddles on the floor and water dripping off the roof.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2018, the Statue of Unity was built at a cost of nearly Rs 2,389 crore. It was completed in 3.5 years, although the foundation stone was laid in October 2013 by Modi who was then the chief minister of Gujarat.

Officials accountable for the upkeep of the 182-metre structure were quick to point that the viewing gallery that can accommodate nearly 200 people at any given time was designed in such a way that it was bound to get flooded. The viewing gallery, at a height of 135 metres, has a grill frontage which allows winds to blow in water during heavy rains, said officials.

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Several of those who shared videos on social media, however, expressed displeasure.