Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday addressed the recent collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district, emphasizing that the state government was not responsible for the statue’s construction. The statue, which was erected by the Navy, collapsed on Monday afternoon, nearly a year after its unveiling by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha empire founder, located at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil, was unveiled on Navy Day (December 4) last year. Its sudden collapse has sparked concern and criticism, particularly from opposition parties.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Fadnavis clarified, “The construction of the statue was not overseen by the state government but by the Navy. The individuals responsible for the fabrication and installation of the statue may have neglected important local factors such as high wind speeds and the quality of materials used. The statue’s exposure to ocean winds might have contributed to its susceptibility to rust.”
Mr. Fadnavis assured that the state government is committed to rectifying the situation by constructing a larger statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same location. “It is our resolve to build a bigger statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same site,” he stated.
An inquiry into the incident is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
When questioned about the opposition parties criticizing the state government over the incident, Mr. Fadnavis expressed disappointment. “The collapse of the statue is indeed painful, but the opposition parties’ stance on the matter is distasteful. There is no need to politicize the issue as it would be seen as shallow,” he remarked.
Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cited wind speeds of 45 km per hour as a contributing factor to the collapse. Additionally, State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ravindra Chavan revealed that PWD officials had detected rust on the statue and had informed the Navy of the issue prior to the collapse.
A case has been registered by local police in Sindhudurg district against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil in connection with the incident.
Opposition parties have accused the state government of hastily installing the statue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, further fueling the controversy surrounding the collapse.
