MOSCOW, July 8 (RIA Novosti) - A giant Soviet-era statue is due to be back in its platform this year in Moscow after a long-delayed restoration process, the capital's mayor said on Wednesday.

The Worker and the Peasant Woman, one of the most prominent statues to shape Moscow's landscape, was dismantled for restoration in 2003 and was initially expected to be returned in 2005. Authorities cited lack of financing for the delay.

"The sculpture by Vera Mukhina will be placed on its platform ...this year," Yury Luzkhov said reiterating his earlier pledge. "We will install the statue despite ongoing work to build underground parking lots to the left and right of the place."

Luzhkov said the platform, which will be increased to a height of 37 meters, will house an exhibition hall capable of accommodating 5,000 people and a cafe. Its total area will be over 8,000 sq m.

The 24-meter high statue made of steel was first showcased at an exhibition in Paris in 1937.

The statue features two figures which seem to be moving fast, holding aloft a hammer and sickle, the symbols of the Soviet Union. Although the statue met the task of ideological glorification, it reflected the author's love for might and the grandiose and was cherished by many Muscovites.

The composition is a logo for the leading Soviet and now Russian film studio Mosfilm.