Mumbai plans its own Statue of Liberty

If New York has a Statue of Liberty, so why can't Mumbai? The Congress-led Maharashtra government has decided to build its very own Statue of Liberty of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, off the coast of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea.
But the Maharashtra government's to make this equestrian statue, rising 1.8 km from the Arabian Sea, has already kicked off controversy.
''We are also planning a lights and sound show and a museum so that people get to know Shivaji, the king and the administrator,'' said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, Maharashtra.
Standing proud at 309 feet and cast in bronze, the statue of the Maratha warrior king will mirror (Statue of Liberty) another global icon, the statue of liberty in New York.
But the 17th century Maratha king appears to be kicking up a controversy rather than winning votes.
It is a manifesto promise sudden woken up to four years after being in power. Naturally questions are being raised elections next year. But will political com change forever.
''What's the need? It will be a problem whether aesthetically, environmentally or economically,'' said Nayana Kathpalia, convenor, Citispace.
Not what the chief minister and his deputy were thinking during a site inspection, an island measuring 30,000 square metres and a ferry service to be built along the city's coast, a coastline that also happens to host one of Mumbai's most coveted promenades.
''I think this is nothing but an attempt by the government to garner some votes keeping in mind next year's elections,'' said R N somani, Walkers Association of Marine Drive.
''There are so many infrastructure needs of Mumbai,'' said Swarn Kohli, Marine Residents' Association.
It is among the country's most well-known landmarks, one whose serenity could be marred forever.