Mumbai: UNESCO site Elephanta Caves finally gets electricity
After 70 years of independence, UNESCO world heritage site Elephanta caves will finally be lit up as electricity reached Gharapuri island on Thursday. CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the project that will provide power to the villages - Morabaner, Rajbaner and Shetbaner - that are also housed in the island. Notably, the work of laying 4 cables underneath the Arabian Sea was started in 2015.
'Historic day today', says minister; villagers elated
"It's a historic day today. This is the first time that such kind of big wire cable is used in the Arabian Sea to spread the lines for electricity," said Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister of Energy, New and Renewable Energy. Nearly 1,200 villagers of the island, situated just 10 kms off Mumbai, were getting electricity through generators. This development has brought smiles on their faces.
Will tourists be allowed to stay in evenings now?
The Elephanta caves, known for its architecture, was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. Millions visit the site every year. In the absence of electricity, tourists were not allowed to stay in the evenings. While the first ferry leaves the Gateway of India at 12.30 PM, the last one leaves at 5.30 PM. Will this change now? Well, we hope.
