Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 25 (IANS) Maharashtra Tuesday approved the design for a 309-foot tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji and an entertainment complex that would come up in the Arabian Sea south of this financial capital. The designs selected were from firms in Thailand and Mumbai, officials said here Tuesday.
The state cabinet approved the designs for the proposed Rs.3.5 billion statue of the warrior king astride a horse, and a huge multi-utilities complex around it submitted by Besel Design Studios, Thailand, and Team One Architect Co, Mumbai, a state government spokesperson said.

The official said the statue would be taller than the Statue of Liberty overlooking the New York harbour in the US, and would become a world-class monument symbolizing Mumbai.

The designs were selected in an international competition in which 11 global consultants took part, he added.

The statue will come up in the Arabian Sea, one kilometre opposite the famed Marine Drive in south Mumbai with the Malabar Hill on the northern end and the business district of Nariman Point on the southern side.

While the seafront would offer an unhindered view of the statue, the complex in the sea would provide a spectacular view of the city as well.

To be managed and maintained by the state tourism department, the entire complex would have facilities for a multi-lingual sound-and-light show depicting Chhatrapati Shivaji’s life, a museum, restaurants, a 200-seater theatre, a garden and public conveniences, according to the spokesperson.