Mumbai: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, arrived at the Navi Mumbai International Airport to inaugurate the 20-foot equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on June 6th. The event was organized today as the date marks the anniversary of the late Maratha King’s coronation day (Shivrajyabhishek).
He spoke of how Maharaj Shivaji’s presence at this transportation transit hub will provide a victorious energy and image to visitors. “I am confident that every passenger arriving at or departing from this international airport will draw inspiration and energy from Maharaj’s image, statue, and memorial,” Fadnavis said. The airport, where the bronze statue resides, became operational in December 2025, and the construction of the monument had been underway for the last eight months. The Chief Minister further added that commemorating the figure today pronounced a global acceptance of Hindvi Swarajya. Expressing his thanks to Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and CIDCO for the execution, he also shed light on the demand to name the Navi Mumbai International Airport after the late activist D.B. Patil. He informed that all the necessary applications have been approved by the State, and final approval from the Centre is now awaited. “We have completed the required process. Follow-up with the Central Government is underway, and we will ensure that the naming is carried out,” he said.
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Fadnavis also added that he wished to build the memorial here because the airport is located in the Raigad belt, which served as the king’s home fort capital. Yaniv Revach, Israel’s Consul General, also arrived at the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s residence. There, the minister expressed his gratefulness to the Consul General as Revach declared that a Shivaji Maharaj sculpture will also be built in Israel. Fadnavis extended full state government support for the installation.
The personality had so much impact that the zest still lingers all over the world. Believing in Swaraj (self-rule), Shivaji Maharaj’s vision was timeless, bringing sovereignty across generations.