The Maharashtra state government has moved forward with its ambitious Shiv Srushti project in the Rajkot Fort area of Malvan. As part of the plan, the government has agreed to pay nearly five times the current market rate for land acquisition to ensure swift progress.
The Minister of Ports and Fisheries confirmed that the government is purchasing land from Santosh Chavan, son of former Congress MLA Subhash Chavan, at a rate five times higher than the market value. “If the issue is about Shivaji Maharaj, there should be no hesitation in spending money,” said Minister Nitesh Rane.
The beautification project comes just a month after the grand unveiling of a new 91-foot bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on May 12, 2025, by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The statue replaces a 35-foot structure that collapsed eight months earlier, raising concerns about the site's structural integrity.
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar recently sanctioned ₹83.45 crore for the Shiv Srushti project during a high-level meeting at Mantralaya, which he attended virtually. The project aims to transform the area into a major cultural and historical tourism destination in the Sindhudurg district. Pawar also directed officials to consider the region’s challenging coastal conditions, especially strong winds, in their engineering plans. He emphasized environmental sensitivity and long-term structural safety.
Commenting on a recent incident of land caving near the Shivaji Maharaj statue, Guardian Minister for Sindhudurg Nitesh Rane stressed the need for durable construction. “I had proposed that the area around the statue be closed for a month during the monsoon for full foundation repairs, so such issues don’t recur. Tourist numbers are low during the rainy season anyway,” Rane said.
With increasing tourist footfall following the unveiling of the new statue, the Shiv Srushti project is expected to enhance visitor experience, promote cultural tourism, and serve as a landmark tribute to Maharashtra’s most revered warrior king.
