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{{Short description|Shivaji memorial in Mumbai, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Update|reason="Memorial construction is expected to be completed by October 2022."|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox monument
| name = ''Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak''
| native_name =छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज स्मारक
| image =
| caption = An artist's impression of the planned statue
| location = [[Arabian Sea]], [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| designer = [[Ram V. Sutar]]
| type = [[Statue]]
| material = [[Steel]] framing, [[reinforced concrete]]
| length =
| width =
| height = {{convert|212|m|ft}} Total height including pedestal<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/for-shivaji-Maharaj-memorial-maharashtra-makes-sculpture-shorter-sword-taller-5261027/|title=Cost cutting: For Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial, Maharashtra makes sculpture shorter, sword taller|date=2018-07-16|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-10-24|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fadnavis govt retains Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue as world's tallest, increases height after China's Buddha statue competes |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/fadnavis-govt-retains-chhatrapati-shivaji-Maharaj-s-statue-as-world-s-tallest-increases-height-after-china-s-buddha-statue-competes-1224996-2018-05-02 |website=India Today |accessdate=6 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
| begin = {{start date and age|2016|12|24|df=y}}
| complete =
| coordinates = {{coord|18.9274|72.7910}}
| open = TBD
| dedicated_to = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]]
| website = {{Official website|https://www.egis-india.com/egis-in-action/projects/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-memorial-mumbai}}
}}
{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|18.92|72.825}}
| zoom = 12
| width = 256 
| caption = Proposed location of Shiv Smarak in [[Back Bay (Mumbai)|Back Bay]]
| mark-coord = {{coord|18.9274|72.7910}}
| label = Shiv Smarak
| label-pos = right 
| mark-description = Shiv Smarak
| minimap = file 
| mini-file = India location map.svg
| mini-width = 100
| mini-height = 107
| minipog-x = 18
| minipog-y = 61
| scalemark = 110 
}}

The '''Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak''' or '''Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial''' is a proposed monument [[Shivaji]], the founder of the [[Maratha Empire]]. The statue will be located in [[Mumbai|Mumbai's]] [[Back Bay (Mumbai)|Back Bay]].<ref name="rubble1">{{cite news |date=2016-12-24 |title=Shivaji Memorial located in the Arabian Sea: Statue to tower on green foundation |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-memorial-in-the-arabian-sea-statue-to-tower-on-green-foundation-4442487/ |accessdate=2017-01-11 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> As of February 2025, construction of the monument has not yet started despite being expected to be completed by October 2022.<ref name="connect2" />

== History ==
The idea of the ''Shiv Smarak'' was conceived in [[2004 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election|2004]] by the [[Indian National Congress|Congress-]][[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] [[United Progressive Alliance|coalition]] government. The election of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]-[[Shiv Sena]] coalition in the [[2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election]] saw the project's budget increase from Rs 100 crores to 3,800 crores in 2016 before being cut down to 2,500 crores in 2018.<ref>Lefèvre, C. (2020). Heritage politics and policies in Hindu Rashtra. South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, (24/25).</ref>

On 24 December 2016, for a foundation-stone laying ceremony by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], volunteers collected water from various rivers in the state and soil from [[Shivaji's forts]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Dr Uday S Kulkarni |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-memorial-in-the-sea-2285860 |title=A memorial in the sea | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |website=Dnaindia.com |date=2016-12-24 |accessdate=2017-01-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/narendra-modi-performs-bhoomipujan-of-shivaji-statue/articleshow/56152763.cms? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226162046/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/narendra-modi-performs-bhoomipujan-of-shivaji-statue/articleshow/56152763.cms? |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-12-26 |title=Narendra Modi performs 'bhoomipujan' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue |website=M.economictimes.com |date=2016-12-24 |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref> Egis in India, a local arm of the French engineering company [[Egis Group]] was appointed the Project Management Consultant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-02-25 |title=EGIS India to help plan Shivaji maharaj memorial |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/egis-india-to-help-plan-shivaji-memorial/story-kgFdEmrOTg1g7FL7Eo725L.html |access-date=2016-12-24 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-04-16 |title=Our Management |url=http://www.egis-india.com/about-us/our-management |access-date=2016-12-24 |newspaper=Egis group}}</ref>

On 1 March 2018, a Letter of Acceptance was issued to the contracting firm [[Larsen & Toubro]] to begin construction of the project.<ref name="sword">{{cite web |title=Cost cutting: For Shivaji maharaj memorial, Maharashtra makes sculpture shorter, sword taller |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/for-shivaji-memorial-maharashtra-makes-sculpture-shorter-sword-taller-5261027/ |website=The Indian Express |accessdate=17 September 2018 |date=16 July 2018}}</ref> Initial plans for the project called for the foundation to be built from reclaimed basalt and rubble from the [[Line 3 (Mumbai Metro)|Colaba–SEEPZ]] metro tunnel.{{r|rubble1}} However, due to delays associated with the monument, the rubble is no longer reserved for the monument, and is being transported to quarries for storage.<ref name="rubble2">{{cite web |last1=Chacko |first1=Benita |title=Shivaji maharaj memorial: Mumbai Metro 3 rubble unlikely to be used |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/shivaji-memorial-metro-3-rubble-unlikely-to-be-used-mumbai-4594458/ |website=The Indian Express |accessdate=17 September 2018 |date=1 April 2017}}</ref>

==Project details ==
[[File:Shivaji British Museum.jpg|right|thumb|The memorial will be dedicated to [[Shivaji|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]].]]

The statue will be located facing Mumbai's [[Girgaum Chowpatty]] beach, {{val|1.5|u=km}} away on a manmade island of rocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/871014/shivaji-statue-india-is-about-to-spend-over-500-million-on-a-statue-in-the-middle-of-the-arabian-sea/ |title=Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue: India is about to spend over $50000 million on a statue in the middle of the Arabian sea |website=Qz.com |date=2016-12-23 |accessdate=2017-01-11}}</ref> The statue will be {{cvt|210|m}} total height from base of pedestal to tip of sword: {{cvt|75.7|m}} statue of horse and rider with a sword {{convert|45.5|meters|ft}} in height, placed on top of a {{cvt|88.8|m|ft}} pedestal.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Safi|first=Michael|date=2018-09-14|title=India to break record for world's largest statue ... twice|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/14/india-to-break-record-for-worlds-largest-statue-twice|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/for-shivaji-memorial-maharashtra-makes-sculpture-shorter-sword-taller-5261027/|title=Cost cutting: For Shivaji memorial, Maharashtra makes sculpture shorter, sword taller|date=16 July 2018|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=24 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="126m">{{Cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |title=Maha govt reduced Shivaji maharaj statue height to 126 metres: Chavan |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/maha-govt-reduced-shivaji-statue-height-to-126-metres-chavan-118030701086_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard India |accessdate=6 September 2018 |date=7 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |title=India to break record for world's largest statue … twice |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/14/india-to-break-record-for-worlds-largest-statue-twice |newspaper=the Guardian |accessdate=14 September 2018 |language=en |date=14 September 2018}}</ref> Statue was initially planned for 192 metres, however was increased to 212 metres as the state government wanted to keep the statue as the tallest competing against an upcoming statue [[Spring Temple Buddha]] in [[China]].<ref>{{cite news |title=ShivSmarak: Maharashtra government wants to increase the height of the memorial |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/civic/shivaji-smarak-maharashtra-government-wants-to-increase-the-height-of-the-memorial/articleshow/57830420.cms |accessdate=4 November 2018 |work=Mumbai Mirror |agency=Press Trust of India |date=25 November 2017}}</ref> The project area is planned to be spread over {{convert|130000|sqm}}. It is expected to be completed in 2021. Initially the total cost of the project was estimated to be about {{INRConvert|3643|c}}, but cost-reduction measures have resulted in a contract worth 2500 crores.{{r|126m|sword}}

The completed vision of the project will include visitor centre buildings, a memorial garden, a library, food court, and convention centre with room for approximately 10,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-narendra-modi-to-perform-bhoomi-pooja-for-shivaji-memorial/articleshow/56127966.cms |title=Shiv Smarak in Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi to perform bhoomi pooja for Shivaji maharaj statue tomorrow |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=2016-12-23 |accessdate=2017-01-11}}</ref> The memorial will also have a museum, exhibition gallery, [[amphitheater]] and [[hospital]]. The memorial will showcase replicas of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's forts.

==Connectivity ==

The memorial will be reachable by boat jetty, [[helipad]] and an extension spur of [[Mumbai Metro]].

Since [[Climate of Mumbai|Mumbai has four rainy months]] every year which makes access to memorial by boat difficult, a 1.2 km undersea metro rail connection from [[Cuffe Parade]] on [[Line 3 (Mumbai Metro)|Mumbai Metro Line 3]] option for connecting the Shiv Smarak was finalised after considering various ropeway and metro rail options. This option, with a cost of {{INRConvert|1500|c}}, will provide all weather connectivity during all 12 months of the year. Earlier, options of another undersea metro rail route from Girgaon Chowpatty, or an aerial ropeway and [[causeway]] sea link were also considered before deciding on the shorter Cuffe Parade Metro Link.<ref name=connect1>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/undersea-rail-mooted-to-reach-site-of-shivaji-memorial-during-rains/ |title= Undersea rail mooted to reach site of Shivaji memorial during rains |website= indianexpress.com |date=2021-02-08 |accessdate=2021-12-06}}</ref>

==Issues==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi performing Jal Pujan for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in the Arabian Sea, 4 kms off Mumbai’s Marine Drive, in Mumbai on December 24, 2016 (1).jpg|right|thumb|Prime Minister, [[Narendra Modi]] performing a ''Jal Pujan'' ritual, asking the deities to bless the location of the future statue. 24 December 2016.]]

[[Maharashtra Navnirman Sena]] president [[Raj Thackeray]] had suggested in 2016 that the money could be better utilised for the development and maintenance of the [[Shivaji's forts]] and palaces in Maharashtra, many built during the reign of Shivaji maharaj.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/Ahead-of-PM%E2%80%99s-visit-fisherfolk-detained/article16939582.ece|title=Ahead of PM's visit, fisherfolk detained|date=25 December 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>

The [[Koli people|Koli fishing community]] staged protests in 2017 and expressed their fear that they will lose their livelihood.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nachiket Tekawade |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/Ahead-of-PM%E2%80%99s-visit-fisherfolk-detained/article16939582.ece|title= Ahead of PM's visit, fisherfolk protest |website=thehindu.com |date=2016-12-25 |accessdate=2017-01-11}}</ref>

==Status==

In February 2021, the detailed project report from Maharashtra state Public Works Department (PWD) and the environment clearance from the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] were awaited for the undersea metro rail link from Cuffe Parade to Shiv Smarak.<ref name=connect1/>

In August 2021, the project was stalled since January 2019 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], only the [[bathymetry]] survey complete while the [[Geotechnical investigation|geotechnical survey]] was underway. Consequently, state PWD proposed extending project completion date by a year from 18 October 2021 to 18 October 2022.<ref name=connect2>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/contract-for-shivaji-memorial-project-pwd-proposes-extension-of-one-year-to-firm-without-cost-escalation-7466001/ |title= Contract for Shivaji Memorial Project, PWD proposes extension of one year to firm without cost escalation |website= indianexpress.com |date=2021-08-23 |accessdate=2021-12-06}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==See also==

* [[List of tallest statues]]
* [[List of the tallest statues in India]]
* [[List of tourist attractions in Mumbai]]
* [[Statue of Equality (Ambedkar)|Statue of Equality]]
* [[Statue of Ahimsa]]
* [[Statue of Unity]]
* [[Tourism in Mumbai]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Statues in India}}

[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Shivaji]]
[[Category:Proposed statues in India]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Colossal statues in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Coastal construction]]
[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Mumbai]]

Shiv Smarak - Revision history

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