The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has given approval in-principle to build the memorial of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Arabian Sea.
The approval is of great significance, as the memorial was promised by the ruling Democratic Front (DF) government in the election manifesto not once, but twice. Union environment minister Jayanthi Natrajan and
chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced the decision at a joint press conference held at the Sahyadri guesthouse on Thursday evening.
The environment minister said that after a lot of deliberations we have come to the conclusion that the 18-hectare rock, finalised by the state government in the Arabian Sea for the memorial, is a safe place. The rock stands three to four metres above the sea- level even during the period of high tide. “The islet comes in Coastal Regulation Zone-4, where no construction activity is allowed, but was approved in-principle as a special case,” she said.
The minister said that the project has been studied thoroughly. “However, for the final approval, various studies will be carried. We have asked the state government to carry out such studies,” the minister clarified.
She added that she was honoured and privileged to be a part of the proposal. “No commercial activity will be allowed and I am not ready to compromise with my role as a environment minister in any case,” the minister said.
The state government has proposed a 312-feet equestrian statue of the Shivaji on a 15.97-hectare rock in the Arabian Sea that falls under CRZ-4 and therefore, special permission for construction is required.
Mr Chavan said, “We will now submit a detailed project report to the environment ministry.”