Mumbai: The upcoming statue of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mumbai, touted to be the world's tallest, which will cost the exchequer thousands of crores, will grow taller. The Maharashtra government has decided to raise the height of the ambitious Shivaji memorial off Mumbai coast from 192m to 210m, reportedly to surpass a Buddha statue in China. The new Shivaji statue will be more than twice the height of America's Statue of Liberty.
Vinayak Mete, Shiv Sangram party leader and chairman of the Shivaji memorial committee formed by the government, said a revised proposal will be sent to the Centre for environmental clearances. "We want the tallest structure for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Mr Mete said.
The budget for the memorial has also jumped to Rs 4,000 crore from the previous Rs 3,600 crore, the source said.
When the project was announced, it got mixed reaction from the city. While the Koli fishing community, Mumbai's original inhabitants, fears losing their livelihoods, environmentalists say that the project, which is due to be completed by 2021, will cause immense harm to a vibrant marine ecosystem and ecology of the Arabian Sea.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray had also suggested that the money could be better utilised for the development and maintenance of the scores of forts and palaces in Maharashtra, many built during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
But the government decided to go ahead with the project after getting the required clearances. "The beautiful memorial besides, a life-size statue will house a history museum to showcase the fighting qualities of Shivaji Maharaj. It will be a tourist spot and revenue will be earned," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said.
Vinayak Mete, Shiv Sangram party leader and chairman of the Shivaji memorial committee formed by the government, said a revised proposal will be sent to the Centre for environmental clearances. "We want the tallest structure for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Mr Mete said.
The budget for the memorial has also jumped to Rs 4,000 crore from the previous Rs 3,600 crore, the source said.
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The budget for the memorial has also jumped to Rs 4,000 crore from Rs 3,600 crore.
When the project was announced, it got mixed reaction from the city. While the Koli fishing community, Mumbai's original inhabitants, fears losing their livelihoods, environmentalists say that the project, which is due to be completed by 2021, will cause immense harm to a vibrant marine ecosystem and ecology of the Arabian Sea.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray had also suggested that the money could be better utilised for the development and maintenance of the scores of forts and palaces in Maharashtra, many built during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
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But the government decided to go ahead with the project after getting the required clearances. "The beautiful memorial besides, a life-size statue will house a history museum to showcase the fighting qualities of Shivaji Maharaj. It will be a tourist spot and revenue will be earned," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said.
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