No change in Shivaji memorial site, says CM Devendra Fadnavis
What's the story
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ruled out the possibility of shifting the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial from its present location in the Arabian Sea off Mumbai coast.
This comes after a boat carrying 25 people capsized in the Arabian Sea off the Mumbai coast on October 24, leading to one casualty and reviving the demand to shift the ambitious project on land.
Details
Fadnavis cites Shivaji's example to end the site-change demand
"There is no reason for changing the location (of Shivaji memorial). The memorial will take shape at the same place. We have (already) begun the work," Fadnavis said.
He also pointed out that Shivaji has built several forts in the sea years ago and that too at difficult locations, adding, "We have got such a convenient location and still we debate on it?"
Defense
Debating unnecessary as memorial project has requisite permissions, says CM
Terming the last week's accident as unfortunate, Fadnavis said debating is not necessary as the memorial project got all the requisite permissions. It was granted after all its aspects, including its location, were considered.
Right after the tragedy, some pro-Maratha groups, as well as Kankavli MLA Nitesh Rane, had demanded that the memorial be built on some other location like at Sindhudurga fort, Konkan.