8.9.12

Shivaji statue to get a new consultant


Four years after it announced its ambitious plan of erecting a 309-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the sea off Marine Drive, the Maharashtra government is once again trying to speed up work on the project, this time with an eye on the 2014 elections.
In a meeting at the state secretariat, the public works and general administration departments reached a decision to appoint a new consultant for the project. Officials said that the earlier design for the project will not be cancelled but a new consultant will be appointed nevertheless.
There has not been much progress in the project since it was first announced in 2008. But it seems that the chief minister’s office has taken special interest to ensure that the project, which has been stuck in limbo for various reasons, moves forward.
The project has been mired in controversy due to various reasons, including its location and need for environment clearances from the Centre. The proposal to set up the statue on an island off Marine Drive is likely to cost the state over Rs 300 crore. Earlier, the government had shortlisted the designs of a consortium of Team One architects and Bangkok-based Bensley Design Studio following a competition.

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