Cost of erecting mid-sea Shivaji statue is a pittance, say government officials as it will become the first iconic edifice Mumbai can call its own

Ideas are expensive. And the mid-sea statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Rs 300 crore proves it. Yet, government officials point out, it's a small price to pay for a structure they hope will become Mumbai's face.

The stateu00a0 is spending this amount (that even a year ago stood at Rs 200 crore) while the world struggles with the economic slowdown, on the premise that Mumbai lacks an iconic post-Independence edifice. Heritage structures like the Gateway of India and CST have become redundant representations of Mumbai, they say.

A senior Mantralaya official said, "The Gateway of India and CST were built by the British. There is no structure that represents and marks Mumbai. The statue of Shivaji will surely give this city a metropolitan look."

When asked if the expense was justified when there are other important issues waiting for the want of money, officials said the amount is a pittance for the state government if it can create an individual identity of Mumbai with the statue.

11 bids

Thanksy Thekkekara, principal secretary, Minorities Development Department, said, "A technical committee scrutinised the 11 bids received from global architects."

Two of those designs have been shortlisted. Once the design is prepared, the state government will call tenders for technical bids.

"The statue should have features that appeal to tourists. Unless it does that it will be a waste of money," said an official from the Urban Development department.

Not surprisingly, there hasn't been any opposition from any political party for this expensive project, which is expected to kick off anytime in the next two years.

For the same price

Aditya Anand takes a look at other projectsu00a0of the same value that are in the wings

Colleges by Maya
To strengthen the technical education sector in Uttar Pradesh, the Mayawati government is planning to set up 250 industrial training institutes (ITIs) and 50 polytechnics at a total investment of about Rs 300 crore. The new institutions will come up in the hitherto un-served and economically backward areas such as eastern UP and Bundelkhand regions.

More two-wheelers
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), has decided to spend Rs 300 crore as part of its expansion plans in India over the next three years. With this money, the company plans to increase its plant capacity to 1.4 million units in six to eight months and to a capacity of 1.5 million units by the end of this fiscal. Currently, the plant has a capacity of around 1 million units.

More KFCs
KFC is targeting 100 quick-service restaurants in India by 2010-end. The company at present has 34 outlets across nine cities in India. "We plan to close 2009 with 50 stores. Our business model is primarily a franchise one and the aggregate investment involved in this expansion will be Rs 200-300 crore," said KFC India marketing director Unnat Varma.

Monumental
At 309 ft, the Shivaji statue will be 3.5 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. Built on a cement concrete structure on a land space of six acres, the site will also have an amphitheatre, a restaurant and a promenade. The statue will be at a distance of 1.7 km from Malabar Hill, 1.5 km from Girgaum, and 1.8 km from Nariman Point.

In the same league...

Manyawar Kanshi Ram Memorial: Statues of Mayawati and Kanshi Ram were installed on 42 acres on Jail Road in Alambagh, at a cost of Rs 370 cr