Mumbai Coastal Road to be Named After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Signaling Support for Marathi Identity

In a strategic move, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the Mumbai coastal road will be named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

The decision was made during the celebration of his Jayanti at the iconic Gateway of India.

मुंबईची लाईफलाईन ठरणाऱ्या सागरी महामार्ग (कोस्टल हायवे) ला छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज यांचे नाव देण्यात येईल, अशी घोषणा मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे यांनी आज केली. याच कोस्टल हायवे परिसरात छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज यांचा दिमाखदार पुतळा उभारण्यात येईल.
गेटवे ऑफ इंडिया येथे पहिल्यांदाच आयोजित… pic.twitter.com/eLRcQkzBqk

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 14, 2023

This move is seen as a calculated response by the Shinde-Fadnavis administration to Shiv Sena's renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad in June 2022. Moreover, it is seen an attempt to strengthen their position in the upcoming local body and assembly elections.

The choice of naming the road after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj holds significant political and cultural implications. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. His reign was marked by his relentless efforts to protect and uphold Marathi culture and identity. By associating his name with the coastal route in Mumbai, the administration is making a clear statement in support of the Marathi community's heritage and sense of identity.

Experts predict that the coastal route, once named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, will become a prominent landmark in Mumbai. The road will not only serve as a crucial transportation artery but also stand as a symbol of the administration's commitment to the Marathi identity. This move is likely to resonate with Maharashtrian voters and further consolidate support for the ruling party.

The Coastal Road Project is a major infrastructure undertaking aimed at addressing Mumbai's perennial traffic congestion issues and enhancing connectivity along the city's coastline. The 10.58 km southern segment of the project is currently under construction, with an impressive 73.5% of the work already completed.

In other related news, delegates are set to visit the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on May 23. Their visit is part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group conference taking place in Mumbai from May 23 to 25. During their time at the BMC headquarters, the delegates will focus on showcasing the resilience of the Coastal Road Project and the comprehensive disaster management measures implemented for the project.