<p>Mumbai: The construction of the grand memorial in honour of legendary Maratha warrior <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</a> in the Arabian Sea - which would be the tallest statue in the world - has been pending for over two decades. However, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assuring the government is committed to it, hopes have arisen again.</p><p>The Shiv Smarak project is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken, as the construction would happen on a small island in the Arabian Sea.</p><p>The erstwhile Congress-NCP Democratic Front conceived the project, and it was included in the joint manifesto in the run-up to the 2004 Vidhan Sabha elections. The Congress-NCP took the project ahead and prepared the designs, however, actual work never took off during the tenure of governments headed by Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan.</p><p>In 2014, when Devendra Fadnavis came to power, he made efforts, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the jal-pujan and bhoomi-poojan. However, for some or the other reasons which include environmental issues and protest by fishermen and litigations. </p><p>Fadnavis’ assurance in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah - at the historic Raigad Fort - has brightened the hopes. Though the Arabian Sea monument faces legal hurdles, the Supreme Court has referred the case to the Bombay High Court, where we will present our case skilfully,” he said. </p>.Mumbai to host WAVES from May 1 to 4; to be permanent venue for summit: Fadnavis.<p>“We will continue the fight to ensure to built the memorial at the original site. We will never give up…we are Mavalas of Maharaj…we will take it ahead, this is our firm resolve,” said Fadnavis. </p><p>The proposed statue would be around 1.5 km into the Arabian Sea, overlooking the Marine Drive, aka Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Marg or Queen’s Necklace, with the historic Malabar Hill on one side and imposing Nariman Point on the other. The statue, along with the pedestal and foundation at 309 ft, would be higher than the Statue of Liberty – and would be a major tourist attraction in this commercial capital. </p><p>The location would be opposite Girgaum Chowpatty. The memorial complex will have a cafeteria, a garden and an open-air theatre where people will be treated to a rich multi-lingual sound-and-light show on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A museum on Shivaji at the premises, which will exhibit belongings and articles used by Shivaji Maharaj, is also on the offing. </p><p>However, it may be mentioned, MNS President Raj Thackeray has maintained that constructing a memorial of this scale in the Arabian Sea was not feasible. “"It is impossible and impractical to build the memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea off Mumbai. he government will have to create an artificial islet with materials. At today's rate, I can say that it will cost at least Rs 25,000-30,000 crore. It's simply not possible to build the statue there," he has repeatedly said and pointed out instead the forts associated with Shivaji Maharaj should be conserved, which are real memorials. </p><p>Fadnavis's statement came after BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj from the Satara royal family, urged Shah to announce the construction of a Shivaji memorial in a space in the Raj Bhavan complex in Mumbai. </p><p>A few months ago, Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj from the Kolhapur royal family, slammed the government for not being able to turn the dream project into a reality. </p><p><strong>Shiv Smarak </strong></p><p>The idea of the Shiv Smarak was conceived in 2004 by the then Congress-NCP Democratic Front government in the run-up to Vidhan Sabha polls. </p><p><strong>25 May 2016:</strong> The first big protest against the memorial staged by the fisherfolk community of Mumbai led by Paramparik Macchimar Sewa Samiti</p><p><strong>24 December 2016:</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the jal-pujan and bhoomi-pujan for the grand project </p><p><strong>1 March 2018:</strong> A Letter of Acceptance was issued to the contracting firm Larsen & Toubro to begin construction of the project.</p><p><strong>14 August 2022:</strong> Veteran politician Vinayak Mete, who was spearheading the demand for reservation for the Marathas and construction of grand memorial of Shivaji Maharaj, passed away in a road accident on Mumbai-Pune Expressway </p>.With government's approval, bike pooling to become reality in Maharashtra.<p><strong>Shivaji Maharaj Memorial:</strong> The statue will be 210 m (690 ft) in total height from the base of the pedestal to the tip of the sword</p><p><strong>Place</strong>: A Small rocky island located off the Mumbai coast</p><p><strong>Location</strong>: Off the Marine Drive-Raj Bhavan stretch.</p><p><strong>Project cost</strong>: Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore</p>
<p>Mumbai: The construction of the grand memorial in honour of legendary Maratha warrior <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</a> in the Arabian Sea - which would be the tallest statue in the world - has been pending for over two decades. However, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assuring the government is committed to it, hopes have arisen again.</p><p>The Shiv Smarak project is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken, as the construction would happen on a small island in the Arabian Sea.</p><p>The erstwhile Congress-NCP Democratic Front conceived the project, and it was included in the joint manifesto in the run-up to the 2004 Vidhan Sabha elections. The Congress-NCP took the project ahead and prepared the designs, however, actual work never took off during the tenure of governments headed by Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan.</p><p>In 2014, when Devendra Fadnavis came to power, he made efforts, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the jal-pujan and bhoomi-poojan. However, for some or the other reasons which include environmental issues and protest by fishermen and litigations. </p><p>Fadnavis’ assurance in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah - at the historic Raigad Fort - has brightened the hopes. Though the Arabian Sea monument faces legal hurdles, the Supreme Court has referred the case to the Bombay High Court, where we will present our case skilfully,” he said. </p>.Mumbai to host WAVES from May 1 to 4; to be permanent venue for summit: Fadnavis.<p>“We will continue the fight to ensure to built the memorial at the original site. We will never give up…we are Mavalas of Maharaj…we will take it ahead, this is our firm resolve,” said Fadnavis. </p><p>The proposed statue would be around 1.5 km into the Arabian Sea, overlooking the Marine Drive, aka Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Marg or Queen’s Necklace, with the historic Malabar Hill on one side and imposing Nariman Point on the other. The statue, along with the pedestal and foundation at 309 ft, would be higher than the Statue of Liberty – and would be a major tourist attraction in this commercial capital. </p><p>The location would be opposite Girgaum Chowpatty. The memorial complex will have a cafeteria, a garden and an open-air theatre where people will be treated to a rich multi-lingual sound-and-light show on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A museum on Shivaji at the premises, which will exhibit belongings and articles used by Shivaji Maharaj, is also on the offing. </p><p>However, it may be mentioned, MNS President Raj Thackeray has maintained that constructing a memorial of this scale in the Arabian Sea was not feasible. “"It is impossible and impractical to build the memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea off Mumbai. he government will have to create an artificial islet with materials. At today's rate, I can say that it will cost at least Rs 25,000-30,000 crore. It's simply not possible to build the statue there," he has repeatedly said and pointed out instead the forts associated with Shivaji Maharaj should be conserved, which are real memorials. </p><p>Fadnavis's statement came after BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj from the Satara royal family, urged Shah to announce the construction of a Shivaji memorial in a space in the Raj Bhavan complex in Mumbai. </p><p>A few months ago, Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj from the Kolhapur royal family, slammed the government for not being able to turn the dream project into a reality. </p><p><strong>Shiv Smarak </strong></p><p>The idea of the Shiv Smarak was conceived in 2004 by the then Congress-NCP Democratic Front government in the run-up to Vidhan Sabha polls. </p><p><strong>25 May 2016:</strong> The first big protest against the memorial staged by the fisherfolk community of Mumbai led by Paramparik Macchimar Sewa Samiti</p><p><strong>24 December 2016:</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the jal-pujan and bhoomi-pujan for the grand project </p><p><strong>1 March 2018:</strong> A Letter of Acceptance was issued to the contracting firm Larsen & Toubro to begin construction of the project.</p><p><strong>14 August 2022:</strong> Veteran politician Vinayak Mete, who was spearheading the demand for reservation for the Marathas and construction of grand memorial of Shivaji Maharaj, passed away in a road accident on Mumbai-Pune Expressway </p>.With government's approval, bike pooling to become reality in Maharashtra.<p><strong>Shivaji Maharaj Memorial:</strong> The statue will be 210 m (690 ft) in total height from the base of the pedestal to the tip of the sword</p><p><strong>Place</strong>: A Small rocky island located off the Mumbai coast</p><p><strong>Location</strong>: Off the Marine Drive-Raj Bhavan stretch.</p><p><strong>Project cost</strong>: Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore</p>