Civic body holds government responsible for sorry state of Maratha leader's statue at Shivaji Park
Civic body holds government responsible for sorry state of Maratha leader's statue at Shivaji Park
It seems the Shiv Sena-ruled BMC is set to score a political point over the Congress-led state government by "snatching" the right of maintenance of Chhatrapati Shivaji statues across the city.
After carrying out renovation of the iconic Maratha leader's statue at the Gateway of India, the BMC is now planning to take over the renovation work of another statue at Shivaji Park, as the government is allegedly neglecting maintenance of the structure.
The BMC wants to take over the renovation work of Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Shivaji Park as it is already carrying out a Rs 7-crore beautification project at the park
According to sources, the maintenance and renovation of the statue was the job of the public works department (PWD). Since they were not taking proper care of the statue, the BMC decided to take over from them.
The BMC is already carrying out a Rs 7-crore beautification project at the park, but restoration of the statue is not included in it.
Rahul Shewale, the BMC standing committee chairperson, said, "The PWD did not pay much attention to the maintenance of the statue, which is in a sorry state."
He added that the BMC would spend a small amount on the restoration of the statue from the fund sanctioned to it for the beautification project.
The BMC has also allocated around Rs 3.56 crore from its coffers to deck-up the 27.91-acre park. It has also sanctioned Rs 1.28 crore for fixing two huge murals on walls adjoining its main gate.
Shewale added, "If the maintenance requires more money, we will arrange for the amount. The corporation is also working on the restoration of a Shivaji statue in Chembur.
There are a few committees that are taking care of the statues in Juhu and Dahisar. If they fail to perform their duty, the BMC will take charge."
The beautification project, however, includes laying lawns, jogging tracks and installing benches and lampposts.
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The park will also have a wall embedded with murals depicting events from the reign of Shivaji and bronze murals showing the coronation ceremony of the Maratha king.
Despite repeated attempts to reach Chhagan Bhujbal, the PWD minister could not be contacted.
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The statue
The statue was installed in 1966 after pooling in money from the general public. The other Shivaji statues are at Juhu, Chembur and Dahisar.
Order Revoked
In 2010, local residents protested against the project saying it would ruin the green lung's aesthetic beauty. While the BMC was adamant to carry out the project, the MNS and Congress opposed the move. The Bombay High Court, which had put a stay on the work last April following a PIL from the Shivaji Park residents opposing the work, revoked its order last November.
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