Shivaji's Raigad Fort to be made global tourist hotspot
Once considered impregnable, the hilltop Raigad Fort from where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundations of ‘Hindavi Swaraj’, is poised for a major revamp to make it a global tourist hotspot, a top official said here on Tuesday.
The 350-year-old majestic fort, which stands on a hill of 820 metres, rises upto 1,356 metres above sea level, and is presently looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Nestled in the picturesque Sahyradri Range of the Western Ghats, the fort was once accessible only by climbing 1,737 steep steps for several hours, but since the past few years a cable car -- the Raigad Ropeway -- has made the ascent to the fort an easy 10-minute effort.
Overseeing the mega revamp project is Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati of the Kolhapur royal family and the 13th direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is now the Raigad Development Authority Chairman and a President-nominated Rajya Sabha Member. “The RDA has sanctioned Rs 606.08 crore of which Rs 114 crore will be for the Raigad Fort redevelopment. Besides, another Rs 237 crore will be spent on major roadworks between Mahad on the Mumbai-Goa Highway to Raigad Fort which will be developed as a heritage highway,” Chhatrapati said. Recently, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati was appointed the Brand Ambassador of Forts by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and took the media on a special visit to the fort on Monday. (IANS)
No comments:
Post a Comment