As per the information shared by RTI activist Anil Galgali, the state government has spent Rs 15 crore on its plan to construct a grand memorial for the legendary Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji in a rocky outcrop, roughly 1.5 km from the Raj Bhavan shore. The project is yet to take off.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the state government has paid more than Rs10 crore to EGIS India Construction for preparing a detailed project report, which includes obtaining permission from various government departments. The remaining Rs 5 crore was spent in making arrangements for the memorial’s foundation ceremony, that took place in December 2016.
According to Scroll, the project cost has risen more than 35 times since it was first conceived 12 years ago. In 2004, the budget was Rs 100 crore; it rose to Rs 700 crore in 2009, Rs 1,400 crore in 2013, and Rs 3,600 crore in 2016.
Currently, the lowest bidder — Larsen and Toubro (L&T) is quoting Rs 3,826 crore as construction cost of the project, reports Hindustan Times.
The reason behind the requirement to gain permission for the project from 13 different government departments is due to the concerns expressed by the Mumbai Police over the security of the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial, reports DNA.
According to the report, concerns regarding possible terror attacks via sea route – on the lines of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and air attacks, considering the proposed statue has a height of 190 metres – were the primary reasons for the delay of the project.
According to Anil Galgali, reports DNA, it was Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria who had expressed concerns over the security aspects of the proposed memorial while giving NOC for the project.
ND Art World Pvt Ltd, owned by art director Nitin Desai, was appointed by the state government to make preparations for the laying of foundation stone event. Additionally, reports Hindustan Times, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) told Galgali that they have paid an advance of Rs 3 crore in two installments to the firm, based on the recommendations made by the state public works department (PWD).
Later, it paid Rs 2.54 crore to the PWD, as rest of the expenses made for the laying foundation program.
As of now, the project has received no objection certificates (NOC) from 12 government departments.
These include: Indian Navy (Western Command), Mumbai Port Trust, State Maritime Board, Bombay Natural History Society, state fisheries department, coast guard, Mumbai Police commissioner, ministry of environment and forest, national security guard (NSG), BMC commissioner, BEST and Aviation Authority of India (AAI), reports Hindustan Times.
Construction will begin in January 2018, and is expected to be completed by 2021.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times, Scroll and DNA.)
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