Mumbai: An ambitious project to instal an imposing statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji one km into the Arabian Sea overlooking the Malabar Hill and Nariman Point in south Mumbai, was Monday cleared by the state government.

The decision to install the statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at this site, along with other tourist attractions, was taken at a high-level meeting presided by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The Shivaji statue will be visible from the entire 'Queen's Necklace' - the Marine Drive - and the promenade from Nariman Point to Malabar Hill.

Details of design, dimensions and other aspects of the project were not disclosed.

The project, envisioned in July 2005, went through a series of political hiccups, feasibility studies, technical reports and various state and central government clearances, before it was given the final green signal Monday afternoon.

"The complex will also have a cafetaria, a garden and an open air theatre where people shall be treated to a rich multi-lingual sound-and-light show on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji," Chief MInister Deshmukh said here.

Apart from the statue, the state government plans to have a Chhatrapati Shivaji museum on the premises. It will exhibit the belongings and articles used by the great Maratha warrior king, and his discourses to the people which have become part of folklore.

 

Source : IANS