PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai, performs ‘bhoomipujan’ for Shivaji memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a day’s visit to Maharashtra on Saturday, where he will lay foundation stone for the grand memorial of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the metro rail projects in Mumbai and Pune.
PM Narendra Modi performs the ‘bhoomipujan’ for a grand statue and memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Mumbai during his day-long visit to Maharashtra.
Describing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a torchbearer of courage, bravery and good governance, PM tweets ShivSmarak is a fitting tribute to him & his greatness.”
“I am honoured to be getting the opportunity to perform the Bhoomipujan of #ShivSmarak,” his another tweet said.
The main feature of the Shivaji memorial, slated to cost Rs 3,600 crore, will be a 192-metre-tall statue of the iconic Maratha king.
PM Narendra Modi arrives in Maharashtra to lay foundation stone of two metro corridors, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Phase 3 of Urban Transport Project and road projects. The PM would also inaugurate Pune Metro Project’s Phase-1.
Modi will address a public function at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground in suburban Bandra, after laying foundation stone for two Metro rail projects, Elevated Rail Corridors Project and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).
The memorial project has been facing stiff opposition from fisherfolk and environmentalists, who have alleged that it would affect marine life and ecology of the Arabian Sea.
Slated to be 309 feet tall, the statue along with a pedestal and foundation would be taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty and was expected to be a major tourist attraction.
The PM will then leave for Pune, where he will lay the foundation stone of the Pune Metro Rail project at the Agriculture College ground there. NCP leader Sharad Pawar will share the stage with Modi at this event.