In an effort to increase accessibility to the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in the Arabian Sea during monsoon, Maharashtra’s Public Works Department (PWD) is now exploring the option of building an undersea metro rail to reach the memorial site, reports The Indian Express.
During a meeting held in September 2020, the consultants mentioned that it would not be possible to reach the project site during the four months of monsoon. Following it, Maharashtra PWD Minister Ashok Chavan had issued the directions to prepare a detailed report on the project.
“So, the consultant suggested various options such as ropeway, sea link, underground metro rail route to reach the site for all 12 months. The option of an underground metro rail route seems feasible and safe. Therefore, the detailed information based on the consultant’s information should be submitted,” stated the minutes of the meeting chaired by Chavan.
If approved, the proposed undersea metro rail line could come up from Cuffe Parade as it is just 1.2 kilometres away from the memorial site.
The work on the 212-metre-tall Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea commenced in 2016. Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has been contracted with the task of constructing the memorial. A 15-acre area has been demarcated in the sea for the purpose.
According to details provided, the memorial is set to see the presence of a temple, a museum, replica of the fort of Raigad (just the entrance), theatre to screen shows on the life of Shivaji Maharaj etc. The statue has been designed by Ram Sutar, a well known sculptor.
Government estimates that around 10,000 tourists will be visiting the memorial site daily after completion of its first phase.