Mumbai:
Just before the October Assembly elections, the state government had announced its proposal to build a statue of Shivaji off Mumbai's coast.
Five months later, it has done precious little to keep its promise.
This is what replies to queries under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have revealed.
Singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani had, along with lawyers Kiran Desai and Bhavik Mehta, filed six RTI applications with government departments and agencies involved with the construction of the statue.
Dadlani claims he has so far received 22 replies (copies of which are available with MiD DAY) since January.
"We received far too many replies to RTI applications passed on from one department to another," said Dadlani.
"The replies either say the department concerned has no clue about the statue or that no document has reached it in that regard."
The 309-foot-tall statue, planned to be erected mid-sea, was estimated to cost Rs 350 crore. It will have the Maratha warrior astride a horse.
Also on the cards are a museum and garden. The idea had met with stiff opposition since its announcement.
Dadlani and the lawyers plan to take the matter to court and are therefore seeking updates in the matter.
According to Dadlani, the government has more pressing concerns to focus its attention on rather than construct such a statue.
More than 23,000 people have signed a petition against the construction of the statue.
The issue has given the Shiv Sena a stick to beat the government with.
"This government is only using Shivaji Maharaj's name to garner votes," alleged party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe.
"The government has no intention of setting up the statue. But before the next election, it will come up with the same proposal to fool voters."