Opposition targets Shinde over alleged shifting of project to Gujarat

Mumbai: The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government has once again came under flak from the opposition parties for yet another project reportedly going to Gujarat. The country’s first submarine project, which was to be set up at Nivati Rock in Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, is now expected to come up at Dwarka in Gujarat.

The Maharashtra Government had announced in 2018 that the submarine project will be made near Nivati Rock in Vengurla, Sindhudurg. Funds of Rs 56 crore were also earmarked for the project, which however failed to materialise.

The Gujarat Government has now announced that the submarine project will be set up at Dwarka in their state. A contract in this respect has been signed by the Gujarat government with the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The project will explore the marine life surrounding Bet Dwarka, a small island off the coast of Dwarka city, which has a mythological significance in the Hindu religion.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut slammed the Shinde-led state government saying as many as 17 projects of Maharashtra have gone to Gujarat during this government’s tenure. “The union government is robbing Maharashtra for the benefit of Gujarat and this state government does not dare to speak against it,” he said.

Congress leader and leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said, “The triple engine government in the state seems to serve as an NOC to take Maharashtra's projects to Gujarat. They should directly announce how many more projects will be taken away to Gujarat. Projects are going to Gujarat and our chief minister and deputy chief minister are only going to Delhi to bow to their masters,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Shinde refuted the claims saying no projects are being lost by Maharashtra. "No projects are going to Gujarat. Don't believe in false news being particularly spread by the opposition,” he said.

Deepak Kesarkar, the guardian minister of Sindhudurg, said the submarine project will definitely be set up in the district. “No follow-up was taken by the previous MVA government for the submarine project, due to which it was delayed. Gujarat and Kerala have decided to implement the project only after taking a cue from Maharashtra, but it doesn’t mean that we have lost it,” he said.