Bombay High court: Maharashtra Government informs that tenders not issued for Shivaji statue

The State Government on Monday informed the Bombay High court that they had not yet awarded the tender to any company after there was only one tender received by it, for the construction of the proposed mid-sea Shivaji memorial.

Advocate General Darius Khambata informed this to the HC during the hearing of a petition filed by Team Architects One Pvt Ltd, which challenged the mega project and sought a stay on the opening of tenders floated for this purpose.

A division bench of Justice S J Vazifdar and A K Menon were also informed that the government was considering re-issuing fresh tenders as very few bids had been received. The petitioner, however, sought time to file a rejoinder, following which the court adjourned the hearing to June 23.

A 300-feet high statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji is proposed to be erected by the govt in the Arabian Sea, facing Marine Drive in south Mumbai. The state also plans to house a museum, aquarium, library and an amphitheatre to focus on the life of Shivaji.

The petitioner had moved court claiming that the govt, which had, through a competition, selected their design for the memorial, but later decided to not execute the contract, causing them losses.

The state, in its affidavit opposing the petition, said that the new design incorporates plans for Maratha empire library and has an expanded capacity for 10,000 people, in addition to a statue double the size previously proposed. The new design is prepared by JJ school of Architecture principal Rajiv Mishra. There will also be a marine aquarium at the basement, a 1721-sqm ground-level dolphin pool and an amphitheatre.