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Background
The Shri. Shivaji Raigad Smarak Mandal
(SSRSM) was founded by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar
Tilak in 1886. The SSRSM undertook the task of making the Fort
Raigad more accessible to the people. In 1990, the then Government
of Maharashtra, accepted the proposal of SSRSM for the construction
of a ropeway. M/s Triveni, a construction firm of Naini, Allahabad,
an undertaking of the Central Government submitted a proposal of
Rs. 8 Crores for the project. The project was a non-starter due
to the prohibitive cost and requirement of foreign exchange.
Completion of the Project
In 1994, Jog Engineering Limited (JEL), in the national interest
undertook to construct this awe-inspiring ropeway with their own
personal investment, by entering into a Build, Operate and Transfer
Agreement (BOT) with SSRSM. In spite of several formidable difficulties,
the project was completed on 3rd April 1996 and was inaugurated
by (Late) Prof. Rajendrasinhji, the then Sarasanghchalak, RSS.
The cost of construction was Rs. 3.1 Crores only, as compared to
Rs. 8 Crores as quoted by the government agency. The shackles of
inaccessibility were broken and the impregnable Fort was brought
within easy reach of all-the young children, the old and the disabled
alike. A dream fulfilled at last!
Facilities for the Tourists
Ropeway Package
It includes a visit to the Museum located at Lower Station of Fort
Raigad. The Museum has been created with the help of renowned historians
like Shri. Babasaheb Purandare, Shri. Ninadji Bedekar and others.
It displays photographs of various forts in Shivaji's empire, artifacts,
farmans and weapons used in those historic times. The visit to the
Museum is followed by a Film Show on Fort Raigad. The educative
film is tastefully created by a team of historians and provides
a preview of various aspects of the monument that the tourist is
about to see. This value addition makes the trip very memorable
and meaningful. A conducted tour of the Fort gives in-depth information
to the tourists, besides answering their queries.
Lodging and Boarding Facilities
Excellent lodging facilities to house over 50 tourists have been
provided at the Lower Station and at the top of the Fort Raigad.
Restaurant offers exclusive vegetarian snacks and meals. All facilities
have been priced modestly.
Souvenir Shop
After an exciting excursion around the Fort, the tourists have a
facility to take home a memento. Photographs, replicas of historic
coins used in the times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and such
curios are available for sale.
Take
a virtual tour >>
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