An imposing equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, three-and-a-half feet taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, will be erected a kilometre off Marine Drive
MUMBAI: An imposing equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, three-and-a-half feet taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, will be erected a kilometre off Marine Drive between Marine Lines and Charni Road stations.
A high-powered committee chaired by chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday decided to shift the proposed statue from its earlier site near the Gateway of India. The meeting was attended by key officials from various departments, including the army, navy and VSNL. The navy and the Mumbai Port Trust had opposed the earlier site.
The statue will stand 309 feet at its highest point, including a pedestal of 153 feet.
A museum of historical literature and artefacts showcasing the era of the Maratha warrior will also come up at the base of the statue, besides an amphitheatre. A sound-and-light show on the Maratha warrior will be the highlight of the visits to the landmark.
The entire project, which is expected to cost Rs200 crore, will be completed in two years.
After naval officers approved of the site, Deshmukh told officials from the general administration and public works departments that the monument should be of international standards.
“The site should establish its international significance with a half-hour sound-and-light show revolving around the life of Shivaji in Marathi, Hindi, and English,” he said.
The chief minister later visited the site with his deputy RR Patil, chief secretary Johny Joseph and key officials from the Maritime Board, PWD and GAD.
A source from the PWD said the statue would be 1.7km away from Malabar Hill, 1.5km from Girgaum, and 1.8km from Nariman Point. The source said VSNL was initially apprehensive because its high-voltage undersea cables are in the vicinity. But the government assured the company that a minimum distance of 250m from the cables would be ensured.
The monument will come up on 7.5 acres, or 30,000 sq metres, and will have no approach road. Tourists will be taken to the spot in a ferry from a floating jetty at Nariman Point.
Officials said the statue would be cast in bronze and tenders would be invited once the government got all required permissions and conducted a detailed study of rock and soil.
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