Mumbai: Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati will lead a committee to develop the historic Raigad fort. Maharashtra government has recently set up a 17-member development authority for the Raigad fort, which served as the capital of warrior king Shivaji. Mr Chhatrapati is a member of the former royal family of Kolhapur and king Shivaji’s descendant.
The state government, in June 2016, had sanctioned Rs 500 crore development plan for the 17th century fort, situated in neighboring Raigad district. He has been appointed to the Upper House of Parliament from the President’s quota.
A government resolution issued in this regards, announced the formation of a 17 member development authority for the fort. The authority will finalise a development plan for the Raigad fort and surrounding areas, including the memorial of Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, it said. The authority would approve expenditures as per a detailed project report for restoration drawn up by the Archaeological Survey of India, and monitor the work.
It is a part of the government efforts to restore old forts built during or before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s period. The government has taken Raigad as the pilot project as the fort was the capital of Shivaji Maharaj. The tourism department will be restoring other forts also. The committee would give suggestions about developing the fort and present a report to the government. The government wants to restore the old structure and also attract more tourists to the place.
