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Chhatrapati Shivaji statue and aquarium

51K views 54 replies 21 participants last post by  IU 
#1 ·
First post reserved for future updates.
 
#2 ·
Shivaji memorial plan submitted to Centre, cost spirals 600% to 1.4Kcr

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2014/03/05&PageLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00602&ViewMode=HTML

Mumbai: The cost of the project to build Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue in the Arabian Sea has gone up manifold, from Rs 200-300 crore in 2005 to around Rs 1,400 crore. The escalation is largely due to the DF government’s delay in implementing the project, which has been its poll promise since the past two elections. Thus, taxpayers will have to pay a lot more for the project as the monument will be built on a cash contract.

Also, due to turbidity along Mumbai’s coast, it will not be possible to build an advanced underwater marine aquarium below the statue. Instead, there will be a fresh water aquarium.

The state government on Tuesday revealed the detailed project plan it recently submitted to the Union environment ministry (MoEF) following positive remarks in the freshly concluded environment impact assessment (EIA) study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. The IIT-B has already completed the study of the 18 hectares of rock located a kilometre away into the sea from Raj Bhavan at Malabar Hill on which the statue has been proposed.

The government is already fighting a case with an architecture firm—Team One Architect—whose design was selected by the state for implementation in 2009. The firm has challenged deviation from the earlier process. The council of architecture has also slapped a fine of 1% of the project cost on the government for not awarding work to the firm despite selection of its design.

When asked about the expenses required for the project, the guardian minister for the island city and rural development minister Jayant Patil said the entire cost might hover around Rs 1,300 to 1,400 crore.

However, when pointed out that the cost was Rs 200 crore at the time when statue was initially proposed, Patil said neither of these cost estimates were actually true as they were just the preliminary estimates and might have changed eventually depending upon the scope of development.

In 2009, when the first competition for architectures was held, the project’s cost was pegged at Rs 600 crore. Patil said project cost will entirely borne by the government, which means the public exchequer will have to contribute a lot.

When asked about the legal battle with the Team One Architect, the guardian minister said that the earlier project was close to the Marine Drive whereas the new one that has been proposed is far away on the 18-hectare rock. Patil also admitted the fact that the aquarium would be a fresh water one as it was not possible to build an underwater one like in some Western countries.
 
#3 ·
A TALL ORDER

The 190m tall statue will be on an 18-hectare rock that is 30 mins away from Marine Drive The monument will have galleries and museums depicting the life of the Maratha emperor and culture and forts in the state

There will be multiple theatres, libraries, amphitheatre, swimming pool, sound and light show facility, besides a huge aquarium

Will have jetties to anchor over 40 catamarans and smaller ships at one time. It will cater to tourist even during the monsoon

The monument will generate wind power and will have all contingency arrangements such as tsunami. Will have helipads and first aid facility

The preliminary design has been prepared by students and teachers of JJ College of Architecture,

A project management consultant will be appointed once the plan gets MoEF’s nod.

 
#5 ·
I asked myself the question that "Is it really worth spending so much money on a statue?"

But them I came across a question on this very forum, "How many monuments have we built since independence?"

I can't really think of anything except Akshardham (there might be few but I really can't remember any).

What monuments will we be passing on the the future generations as a symbol of our generation?
 
#7 ·
x-post
:nuts::nuts::nuts:
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/shivaji-memorial-to-get-grander-with-an-oceanarium/

Plans for a memorial of Maratha warrior king Shivaji in the Arabian Sea off Marine Drive just got grander, with the state government planning to set up the world’s largest oceanarium as part of the memorial, which is to come up on a 16-hectare rock islet located 1.2 km from Raj Bhavan and 3.6 km from Girgaum Chowpatty.
As part of the proposed memorial, the state government plans to build the 190-metre tall equestrian statue of Shivaji, which could make it the tallest statue in the world.
Talking of the plan for an oceanarium, Jayant Patil, guardian minister, Mumbai (island city), said, “The idea was to house marine animals belonging to a variety of species.” He said experts from the state had visited top oceanariums in the world, while conceptualising the facility.
The proposed oceanarium could, however, mean curtains for a similar facility being planned on state dairy department-owned land in Worli. “We might not need another aquarium if this one comes up,” additional chief secretary P S Meena said.
Patil said the oceanarium would be state-of-the-art, with glass galleries. A senior state official said the idea was to raise awareness on the need to protect marine ecosystems.
The concept plan, designed by the JJ School of Architecture, was submitted to Union Environment Minister Veerappa Moily last week, Patil told reporters.
The site falls in the coastal regulation zone-IV. With certain commercial elements planned too, the state has approached the Centre for delisting the site from CRZ-IV category.
According to the plan, the statue will be placed on a pedestal that resembles the octagonal shape of Shivaji’s raj mudra or royal seal. Besides the ocenarium, the memorial will also house a museum to exhibit artefacts, history and murals on Shivaji, two theatres where films on the warrior king will be screened, a big library and facilities for sound and light shows. Eateries and cafeterias are on the anvil too.
Meena said miniature versions of various forts set up during Shivaji’s reign would also be displayed.
 
#8 ·
Statue vs statue: Maharashtra Shivaji taller than Gujarat Patel

News article from January 21, 2014

With elections around the corner, the Maharashtra government has revived its project to build an equestrian statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea, off Marine Drive in Mumbai — on a much grander scale.

A high-powered committee headed by the city’s guardian minister and NCP leader Jayant Patil has shelved the earlier plans approved by former chief minister Ashok Chavan and is set to start afresh, based on a new concept design submitted by the JJ School of Architecture.

While the earlier design proposed a modest height of 321 ft (98 metres), the new plans could make the Shivaji statue the tallest in the world at 190 metres, taller than even the proposed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue (182 metres) in Gujarat, which was being touted as the world’s tallest.

“Our criterion is not to create the tallest statue but one that is prominently visible from the Queen’s Necklace,” said Patil. He said IIT-Bombay would carry out tests to ascertain the load-bearing capacity of the base this week. “Only after that will we take a decision on the final height of the statue,” he said.

According to the earlier design, the statue was to be built on a pedestal shaped like a shivling, on 7.5 acres of reclaimed land one kilometre into the sea from Marine Drive. The new design has the statue placed on a pedestal that resembles the octagonal shape of Shivaji’s raj mudra or royal seal.

The new plans also include a museum to exhibit artefacts, history and murals on Shivaji, dancing fountains, amphitheatre, auditorium, aquarium, facilities for sound and light shows and water adventure sports. These are to be built on an existing elliptical basalt rock structure with an area of 16 hectares during low tide.

The site is located further into the sea, at 1.2 km from Raj Bhavan, 3.6 km from Girgaum Chowpatty beach and 2.6 km from Nariman Point.

State government sources said the cost of the new statue could well exceed Rs 1,000 crore. When the project was first proposed, the estimated cost was Rs 100 crore, which was later hiked to Rs 500 crore.

“The old design was meant for a different location which was beset with environmental issues. We had to go for a new concept since we now have a new spot which is located further into the ocean,” said Patil. Plans for the statue were first announced in the 2004 election manifesto of the Congress-NCP combine in the state.

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and National Institute of Oceanography have been asked to draft an Environmental Impact Assessment report for the project, a pre-requisite for clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Article window
 
#10 ·
Would have been nice if all Shivajis forts were taken good care of from this money. Such care would have given far more employment to many all around Maharashtra.

One should see how badly maintained these forts are !!

Forget hill forts, even sea forts are in a severe neglect !
 
#11 ·
I think if u see this from a tourism development point of view you can't say its a waste of money but then the question is how many people outside Maharashtra and India know Shivaji . The good think is that they are planning to add more attractions to it and the location seems to be perfect . Its rights off the coast from Marine Drive which will very soon get a heritage tag for its Art Deco bldgs .
But then all this shouldn't come at the expense of infrastructure funds for the city .
As P2p4 rightly mentioned most of shivaji forts which can be turned into tourist hotspots are in ruins and need urgent attention .
 
#12 · (Edited)
^^^ Ironically, one of Shivaji's Navy "Sarkhel" - Kanhoji Angre gave the Brits a tough fight on the islands off Mumbai. Sadly, these forts and fortifications on Kaneri islands are anyone's guess !! Worli fort - again a dilapidated state of affairs .

All this money - with 600% cost inflations is certainly going to benefit the two to three political outfits that control Mumbai . Shivaji's statue will be a commanding sight no doubt but the legacy he left behind in his forts/hills/unity... is sadly.. :eek:hno::eek:hno::eek:hno::eek:hno::eek:hno: thrown to the sea by these political outphits

Rs 1,400 crore = 14 Billion Rupees is the project cost if I am correct? What's the ROI on such a huge mis-adventure on public money's expenditure? How many decades would it take to recover this cost?

I wish sane Marathi people would have raised objection on this vulgar exploitation of Shivaji's name ! Unfortunately, none of this has happened I believe.

(Myself a chauvinistic but saner Marathi)
 
#29 ·
not just marathis but all Indians should be proud of him. Afterall it was he who almost threw Moghals out(conqured lot of their teretorry). He was one of the great freedom fighters in a way (not just Mahatma Gandhi). How many lives were saved from Moghal onslaught due to him.

If you ask me I also want lot of statues - Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharana Pratap and Krishnadeva Raya along with Shivaji who were the greatest kings in last 1000 years who faught the muslim invaders.

Vikramaditya, Chandragupt Maurya who had some part of middle east under their empire and the greatest kings in last 2500 years. And off course I also want Krishna with Sudarshan Chakra and Ram with Arrow - depecting lakhs of years of our History and civililization.
 
#32 · (Edited)
Right. Do you seriously think 'business' is on their minds? This is no more than a cheap political stunt by a couple of powerful shitheads yearning for attention and trying to steer a section of the public's attention away from far more pressing issues that need urgent sorting out. The 'business' end of the deal is a mere afterthought. I hope this plan never sees the light of day.
 
#35 ·
According to me, it should be about just shivaji, the statue is great but we need to promote other rulers like jyoti roa phule, lokmanya tilak , rajguru, ambedkar as well. Shivaji saved us and they gave us freedom, empowerment and a democracy. Today, most dont even know what they did, leave alone government doing something, if you want to build the first massive free indian statue it should be about them, since we already have a airport, station for shivaji maharaj
 
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