Centre gives in-principle nod to financial assistance of Rs. 600 crore for conservation of Raigad Fort: Devendra Fadnavis

NEW DELHI, Feb 28: The Central Government has given its in-principle nod for a detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs. 600 crore, proposed by the Maharashtra Government on restoration and beautification of the historical fort of Raigad, which was capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s empire. Informing this to the media persons during an press interaction in New Delhi on Tuesday, Maharashra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told that the State Government would soon take the work for restoration and beautification of various forts in the state including the historical fort of Raigad.

               Fadnavis was speaking after a meeting at held at Transport Bhavan in New Delhi, headed by Union minister for State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma, to find out solutions to various problems being faced in restoring and beautifying various famous forts and caves in the State. The meeting was also attended by Union Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Secretary of Tourism Ministry N K Sinha, Secretary of the Cultural Ministry Vinod Joshi, Director General of the Department of Archeological Survey Dr. Rakesh Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Praveen Pardeshi, Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Work Valsa Nair and Regional Commissioner of Konkan Region Prabhakar Deshmukh.

                  Chief Minister said that public sentiments are closely attached with the historical forts from the era of Shivaji Maharaj and are an important heritage of glorious history of Shivaji era. They offer an effective medium through tourism, said Fadnavis, underlining the need for their restoration and beautification. He justified the initiative taken by the Government in this regard. Informing about the state government submitting a DPR worth Rs. 600 crore towards a project regarding restoration and beautification of Raigad Fort, the CM told about the Centre giving in-principle approval to this project during today’s meeting. He also told about the assurance given by Dr. Sharma in today’s meeting regarding clearing any project proposal coming to his ministry from Maharashtra. In all there are 336 forts in Maharashtra, out of which more than 40 forts come directly under the ASI under the Central government. The State Government has decided to restore and beautify 18 forts out of these. Apart from forts, the Centre has also assured to extend help for restoration and beautification of various historical caves in the state, told Fadnavis.

                 Fadnavis also called on Minister for Environment Anil Dave and discussed the issue of redevelopment of slums in CRZ in Mumbai. Speaking to media persons, the CM made it clear that he also discussed with Prime Minister various issues of the state including permissions for the proposed coastal road project and the slum redevelopment in CRZ in Mumbai. Fadnavis informed that he apprised Prime Minister Modi of recent elections held in various municipal corporations and Zilla Parishads. He told that since there was no redevelopment of even a single slum despite the formula of 51 : 49, the CRZ slum issue needs an alternative. He informed that Nair committee was also appointed on the same and he told that he requested Union Minister for Environment and Forests to immediately take a decision on Nair committee report. He said that a meeting has been convened on March 4'th so that a decision could be made in this regard. 

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