The much awaited project for construction of a statue of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Mumbai offshore is seeing some progress after necessary NOC’s from 13 departments have been received, revealed the information provided by the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial Project department Engineer Vijay Jethra as a reply to an RTI filed by Anil Galgali. The reply also included that after the jal pujan by PM Narendra Modi about nine months back, a approx amount of Rs 15,82,80,011 has been spent on this project.
Galgali had sought information from the MMRDA and the Shivaji Maharaj memorial project dept about the progress of the project. “The NOC’S of the 13 departments and the expenses incurred up to now. The 13 departments which have granted the NOC include the Navy, Mumbai Port Trust, Maritime Board, BHNS India, Fisheries department, Coast Guard police, Mumbai Police Commissioner, Forests and Environment department, NSG, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, BEST GM, Airport Authorities, and Aviation Authorities of India,” the reply stated.
“The jal pujan by PM Narendra Modi was conducted on December 24, 2016, and the expenses incurred for the program was paid by MMRDA to the PWD, after due follow up the PWD the amount of Rs 5.54 crores. Out the amount, Rs 2.54 crores was handed over to PWD and rest to M/s N D Art World Pvt Ltd owned by Nitin Desai. Desai took their payment in advance. The MMRDA has accepted all the recommendation received up to now so as to ensure no hindrance obstructs the inauguration ceremony by the Prime Minister. But the PWD department has yet to give its Utility certificate. The PWD has paid Rs 10,18,10,177 to M/s EGIS India Construction and Rs 10,69,834 to Deshmukh Construction,” explained Galgali.
After the recommendation of the Police Commissioner, Rakesh Maria, the government formed a committee of experts representing every department involved in the project. “The Police Commissioner in its report had raised the issue of necessary precautions keeping in mind the terrorists attacks, especially as the terrorist attack on November 26, 2008 was carried out by the terrorists on gaining entry from this route itself. Hence, he raised an alert that the venue could be prone to terror attacks in future as well,” added Galgali.
