PM will lay foundation stone of Shivaji Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial at an island in Arabian Sea off Mumbai coast on December 24.
Vinayak Mete, chairman of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial committee today said that Modi is likely to take a hovercraft from Girgaum Chowpatty to the island.
"There was confusion over whether PM would visit the island that is located some 1.5 km from the Mumbai coast. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday held a review meeting where it was made clear that Modi would be visiting the island," Mete said.
Modi would be accompanied by Fadnavis and some officials for laying the foundation stone, he said.

"The hovercraft tests have been already going on for the same as we need to take all types of precautions. Though the tests were already on, we did not disclose his visit details earlier for security reasons," Mete said.
Proposed on around 15-hectare island, the memorial will be as high as 210 metres of which 60 per cent would be the height of the statue alone. The total cost of the project is Rs 3,600 crore of which first phase would cost Rs 2,500 crore.

On December 24, the PM will also lay the foundation stone for two Metro rail projects, elevated rail corridors project and the Mumbai Trans Harbour link. He will address a public function in suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

Meanwhile, BJP today sought to claim the credit for the project, saying it was 'fulfilling poll promise'.
"The bhumipujan of the Shivaji Maharaj memorial is our vachanpurti (keeping promise)," state BJP president Raosaheb Danve said.
"BJP had promised that it will build the memorial after coming to power. CM Fadnavis followed up the matter with the Centre and got the required permissions," Danve added.