Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant wants Shivaji statue outside CSMT

There is a plan to build seven different Shivaji Forts with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statute as well, next to platform number 18 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). However the Shiv Sena wants the statue to be right in front of the UNESCO World Heritage building, which has now caused a fresh controversy over the Rs 1,800 crore project that was conceptualised by Commerce minister and former Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu in February 2016.

On Wednesday, during the inauguration of certain passenger facilities at CSMT, Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Arvind Sawant raked the issue of wanting a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj right in front of the CSMT world heritage building – which is also the headquarters of Central Railway (CR). “We don’t want Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue somewhere behind. This building represents Shivaji and so the railways should have his statue built at the front that is visible to people,” said Sawant.

At present there is a circular garden in front of the entrance of the 129-year-old building before the gates. Flag hoisting also takes place at this location. This is despite the fact that there is a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the entrance of this building, where …read more