Maheshwar project has chalked out an elaborate work plan to protect `samadhi’ (stone edifice) of Bajirao Peshwa, an astute military strategist and Prime Minister to the Maratha kin Chatrapati at Raver in Barwah tehsil of Khargone district.
In all a sum of Rs 10 crore would be spent to protect the `samadhi’ in is present shape and avoid its submergence on account of rise in water level in the Maheshwar dam. The central archeology department in this regard has given its approval in principal.
Senior GM, Maheshwar Project, I C Jain giving details of the plan to protect this monument of great historical significance, said the company has already submitted its plan, vetted by the MNIT to safeguard the `samadhi’ by building a protection wall around it. The ASI has already cleared the plan in January this year asking the company to get construction drawings vetted by a national institute of technology. Once the company gets its approval from the ASI, it will start work on the construction of protection wall around the `samadhi’ to protect it from the submergence.
According to a survey carried out by the competent authority, the `Samadhi’ would face submergence only when water level of the Maheshwar dam will exceed 162 meters.
Keeping in view the historical importance of the `samadhi’ of late Bajirao Peshwa, the project management decided to construct a retaining wall of 4 metre height from three sides. While constructing the retaining wall, emphasis will be laid on the strength of the wall so as to prevent any kind of seepage from the retaining wall, informed a company official dealing with it.