Opposition to the state government’s decision to erect a statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea at a cost of Rs250 crore seems to be gaining ground.
A signature campaign initiated by South Mumbai citizens’ groups has already got the support of 15,000 residents. The campaigners need another 10,000 signatures to file a public-interest petition in the Bombay high court.
The state plans to erect the statue a kilometre off Marine Drive. The statue will rise to a height of 309 feet at its highest. A museum showcasing the era of the Maratha warrior will also come up at the base of the statue, besides an amphitheatre.
“Once the statue comes up, the area will become a tourist spot. It will be exploited and converted into a commercial zone,” said Chandresh Shah, president, Marine Drive Residents’ Association.
“Also, security is a concern as there will be boats to ferry people to and fro,” Shah said.
For Indrani Malkani, secretary of the Malabar Hill Residents’ Association, the prime concern is how the statue will be aligned with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. “The sea link will go via Haji Ali up to Nariman Point. How will the statue be placed?” she said.
“Instead of this, the funds should be used to upgrade infrastructure in South Mumbai,” Malkani said.
BK Katyal, vice-president, Nariman Point Residents’ Association, said, “We are opposed to the idea of spoiling the ecological balance of the area. The view of the sea will be affected.”
