UNESCO site Elephanta Island gets electricity after 70 years of Independence

UNESCO world heritage site Elephanta Island has got electricity supply after 70 years of Independence. A 7.5 km long undersea cable brought electricity to three villages- Raj Bander, Mora Bander and Shet Bander. Just 10km away from Mumbai, the island was without electricity since independence.

The state government has laid an underwater power cable network between mainland Mumbai and the island at a cost of Rs. 28 crore for electrification. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Elephanta electrification Project with Padma Shri Dr. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, Union Minister Dr. Subhash State Ministers Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Jaykumar Rawal, Ravindra Chavan and other dignitaries. Fadnavis tweeted, "Memorable and historic moment! Elated and proud to see the joy and smiles on faces of villagers at Gharapuri (Elephanta) island when they got the power supply (electricity) for the 1st time after independence!"

Nearly 1,200 residents of this popular tourist destination have a reason to cheer. The island has an area of about 16 sq km and is located northeast from Mumbai coast and comes under the administrative jurisdiction of Raigad district. The island is easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, being about 10 kilometres from the south-east coast of the island city. Boats leave daily from the Gateway of India, taking about an hour each way. The tickets for these can be bought at the Gateway itself. The first ferry leaves at 9 am and the last at 2 pm. From the boat landing stage on the island, a walkway leads to steps that go up to the famous caves.