As the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj terminus is
entering its 125th year on April 20, the Maharashtra Rail and Road Passengers'
Association has demanded a special stamp to commemorate the day and acknowledge
the contribution of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who had spent his own money to
lay the railway track from Miraj to Kolhapur.
Mohan Shete, former station manager of
Kolhapur and a member of the association, said: "The Indian Railways had
released special stamps on Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus in Mumbai, Chennai
station and Kolkata station, among others. These were limited edition stamps
and people have purchased them as a memento. The release of a stamp is a
gesture."
State has been pursuing the demand with
various organizations, industrial bodies and public representatives. The local
residents are pushing the demand so that it would be included in the railway
budget to be presented on February 26.
Shivnath Biyani, chairman of the association
said, "We have requested Kolhapur MP Dhananjay Mahadik to follow it up at
the central level. The district has benefited from Shahu Maharaj's
contributions as he not only spent his money for construction of the railway
line, but also invited trading communities from Gujarat to settle in Kolhapur
and do business. He provided them several incentives, constructed Shahupuri and
Laxmipuri areas as business centres and also developed Jaisinghpur, a village
in Hatkanangale as another traders' destination along the Kolhapur-Miraj
railway line."
"These facilities boosted trade in sugar, jaggery and leather products, and the efficient communication with major cities like Mumbai and Pune contributed in socio-cultural uplift of the district. I think, it will be a nice gesture from the Indian Railways to release a stamp on his name," Biyani added.
"These facilities boosted trade in sugar, jaggery and leather products, and the efficient communication with major cities like Mumbai and Pune contributed in socio-cultural uplift of the district. I think, it will be a nice gesture from the Indian Railways to release a stamp on his name," Biyani added.
Mahadik said, "I have written a letter to
the railway minister regarding our demand. It would not cost very much to the
railways but the people of Kolhapur would feel honoured. It is high time for
Kolhapur to have this recognition."
The MP added, "Shahu Maharaj has been an
idol of development and embodiment of inspiration for many people. I have also
demanded redevelopment of the railway station and expansion of it."
The beginning
* April 16, 1853: Country's first train ran
between Bori Bundar (Mumbai) and Thane
* May 3, 1888: Construction of the 48km railway line from Kolhapur to Miraj started
* Shahu Maharaj announced that the required cost of Rs 22.75 lakh will be borne by his princely state; the cost finally escalated to Rs 23.05 lakh
* May 3, 1888: Construction of the 48km railway line from Kolhapur to Miraj started
* Shahu Maharaj announced that the required cost of Rs 22.75 lakh will be borne by his princely state; the cost finally escalated to Rs 23.05 lakh
*Construction completed in three years
* April 20, 1891: First metre gauge train ran
from Miraj to Kolhapur
Source:-The Times of India
