To make the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in the Arabian Sea accessible during monsoon, PWD in Mumbai is contemplating to build a ₹3, 600 crore undersea metro rail line to reach the memorial during rainy seasons. PWD Minister Ashok Chavan has directed officials to submit a detailed report for the project. This is for the first time that the issue of inaccessibility of the site during monsoon has been taken up at the level of a minister and senior officials. While the undersea metro rail lines from Girgaum Chowpatty and Cuffe Parade were considered, preference is being given to undersea metro rail line from Cuffe Parade as it is just 1.2 km away from the site. Estimates indicated that about 10,000 tourists are expected to visit the memorial site daily after completion of the first phase of the project work and additional 15,000 after completion of the second phase. Earlier, consultants mentioned that it would not be possible to reach the project site during the four months of monsoon and suggested various options such as ropeway, sea link and underground metro rail route to reach the site around the year. The option of an underground metro rail route seems feasible and safe.
