Strap: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis says his government committed to completing this monument within 40 months
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial project in the Arabian sea will be inaugurated in May by prime minister Narendra Modi. The project will be complete by end of 2019.
However, Fadnavis said that the date for the inauguration has not yet been fixed. “We do not have shortage of the fund for this project. Besides, all required clearances from the state and Centre are in place. We are committed to complete this project within 40 months,” he said. He added that Shivaji memorial is a symbol of pride for the state. “It will be Maharashstra's identity. This is a project beyond politics. Our government has decided to extend all possible support to this memorial,” he said.
He further said that the design of this project is quite unique. “People will take the darshan of Shivaji Majaraj by going up through a sword type of elevator. The design and project will be admired by everyone. We are leaving no stone unturned to undertake and complete the project. It was delayed because government was forced invite tenders thrice in the past and twice presentations were also made. Now, things are going in the right direction,” Fadnavis said.
He said that in 2014-15 budget, the state government had allocated Rs100 crore, but in 2015-16 budget allocation is Rs70 crore. Government had set up three committees to monitor the work of the project.
Vinayak Mete, MLC and president of one of the government committees, said that they had also identified a location for the project office at Cuffe Parade and the storeroom to keep the collections of the Shivaji Maharaj era. “The ground breaking ceremony is likely to be held on May 10. We have to also construct a temporary concrete platform in the sea so that the prime minister and other dignitaries can use it during the function,” Mete said adding that the identified location is one of the best locations in the sea.
“There is solid rock in the sea that is spread across 42 acres and our project is on 16 acres. We are making five entries — ferry service points — to visit this location, they are the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Navi Mumbai, Versova and Sewri. This will be tallest statue in the world and the cost of the project will be recovered in the next ten years. The life of this memorial will be 400 years,” informed Mete.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Shivaji Maharaj")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}