PM Modi to inaugurate Shivaji statue in Mumbai today

The 192-meter tall grand statue of iconic Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj has been facing stiff opposition from environmentalists

By: News Desk |
December 24, 2016 11:25 am

Tags: Narendra Modi,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the grand statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and lay the foundation stone for the metro rail projects during his one-day visit to Maharashtra on Saturday.

Today I will be attending programmes in Maharashtra. This includes inauguration of new campus of National Institute of Securities Markets.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2016

The 192-metre-tall statue of the Maratha king is slated to cost Rs 3,600 crore. The site which is along the Arabian Sea coast is around 1.5 km from the Raj Bhavan shore and has been facing stiff opposition from environmentalists, who have alleged that the project would affect marine life and ecology of the Arabian Sea.

I am honoured to be getting the opportunity to perform the Bhoomipujan of #ShivSmarak.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2016

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a torchbearer of courage, bravery & good governance. #ShivSmarak is a fitting tribute to him & his greatness.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2016

Modi will land in Mumbai at 11:30 am and leave for MIDC Patalganga in Raigad district where he will also inaugurate the newly-built campus of the National Institute of Securities Management.

Later in the day, Modi will also lay the foundation stone for two Metro rail projects, Elevated Rail Corridors Project and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and address a public function at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground in suburban Bandra. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, whose party is an ally of ruling BJP, is expected to share the dais with Modi at the MMRDA event.

In Mumbai, will lay foundation stone of 2 metro corridors, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Phase 3 of Urban Transport Project & road projects.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2016

The Prime Minister’s visit marks political significance as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are just a few months away.