Shivaji statue collapse: Devendra Fadnavis promises larger Shivaji statue after navy-supervised project completion

PTC News Desk: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the recent collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district, revealing that the project was overseen by the Indian Navy rather than the state government. The statue, which fell on Monday, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort during Navy Day last December.

Fadnavis explained that the Navy managed both the construction and installation of the statue, and speculated that local environmental factors, such as high wind speeds and the statue’s exposure to oceanic conditions, might have contributed to its deterioration. He pointed out that the quality of materials, including iron prone to rusting due to salty air, may have also played a role in the collapse.

“The oversight for the statue’s fabrication and installation was handled by the Navy, not the state government. It’s possible that factors such as local weather conditions and material quality were not adequately addressed,” Fadnavis said. He assured the public that an inquiry into the incident is underway and promised the construction of a larger statue at the same location.

Fadnavis criticized opposition parties for using the incident to target the Mahayuti government. “While the statue’s collapse is regrettable, the opposition’s approach to the situation is opportunistic. Politicizing this issue is inappropriate and undermines the seriousness of the matter,” he said.

WHAT DID THE NAVY SAY?

In response to the collapse, the Indian Navy has initiated an investigation. A team of experts is assessing the situation on-site. The Navy confirmed that while the statue’s construction and installation were handled by them in collaboration with the state government, maintenance responsibilities were transferred to the state after the project’s completion. The Navy is working on restoring the statue following the investigation.

Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ravindra Chavan noted that PWD officials had previously reported rust issues on the statue to the Navy. Additionally, a police case has been filed against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil in connection with the incident.

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