Concerns over security delay Shivaji memorial

After concerns expressed by the Mumbai Police over the security of the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial off the coast of Mumbai, the Maharashtra government has appointed a committee of experts from all the departments concerned.

Speaking to DNA, Member of the Legislative Council, Vinayak Mete, who heads the committee, said that after the security concerns expressed by the Mumbai Police, the government is going to take all necessary precautions and measures to ensure the security of the memorial.

Earlier, concerns were raised that the statue could be vulnerable to terror attacks via sea route — on the lines of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, when terrorists entered the city via the sea route.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the statue on December 24, 2016, the state government has so far spent Rs 15.82 crore on the project, but any actual work has yet to start on the reclaimed land in the Arabian Sea.

It may be noted that 13 departments, including police, have given their no objection certificate (NOC) for the proposed memorial.

Mete noted that not only the sea route but security arrangements will be made to thwart air attacks as well, since it will be tallest memorial after it is completed — the statue of Shivaji Maharaj will stand as tall as 190 metres.

Admitting that his government could not start the actual work on the memorial, Mete said the re-tendering process is likely to come to an end in the next 15 days and work order would be given, after which, by January 15, 2018, the actual work could start.

RTI activist Anil Galgali had sought information about the progress of the project, one of BJP's poll promises in the 2014 elections.

Galgali issued a press release saying it was Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria who had expressed concerns over the security aspects of the proposed memorial while giving NOC for the project.

Galgali also noted that Maria had pointed out that the proposed memorial could be a vulnerable spot as it has easy access points from the sea, and keeping in mind the 26/11 terror attack. The government then formed a committee of experts from all the 13 departments to look into the security aspect of the memorial.

As per the information provided by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial project department to Galgali, the 13 departments which have granted the NOC are the Navy, Mumbai Port Trust, Maritime Board, BNHS India, Fisheries department, Coast Guard Police, Mumbai Police Commissioner's office, Forests and Environment department, NSG, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, BEST General Manager, Airport Authorities, and the Aviation Authorities of India.

Galgali claimed that deputy engineer in the project department, Vijay Jethra, said the department received the NOCs of all the 13 departments. The RTI reply also reveals that the expenses incurred so far are to the tune of Rs 15.80 crore.