Move to erect Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea rejected

Mumbai: The central government has rejected a Maharashtra government proposal to erect an imposing statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Arabian Sea, one km off the Mumbai coast, a top official said here Wednesday. "The central government has not given environmental clearance for the project. So, we are not going to pursue it further. We are now scouting for an alternate site for the project," Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told media persons. He said that the state government has already identified a suitable location for the project and it remains to be inspected by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. "The chief minister and I shall soon carry out an aerial survey of the proposed location before taking a final decision on the issue. However, the project is very much on," Pawar assured. The complex planned at the alternative site on shore will have a cafetaria, a garden and an open air theatre where people would be treated to a rich multi-lingual sound-and-light show on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji. There will also be a memorial museum on the premises. It will exhibit the belongings and articles used by Shivaji, and his discourses to the people which have become part of folklore. IANS