MES against renovation of Shivaji fort: MLA

A Rs 10-crore project has been launched to convert the Fort into a tourist destination and the work to provide a road connectivity began eight months ago.

“As the development activities began to take a concrete shape, the MES voiced its opposition claiming mining mafia is behind the project and that the development works have been damaging the fort,” Patil told reporters.

The legislator said the road work would be completed by November end. Retaining walls would be constructed to prevent earth from caving. Walls of the fort would be further strengthened and a 21-foot tall statue of Chatrapati Shivaji would be installed atop the fort.

Patil said opposition for the development work was politically motivated. While MES leaders invoke Chatrapati Shivaji to woo Marathi speaking people, they have never cared to restore the fort of the Maratha warrior king, he said.