A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered historical figure in India, has collapsed in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district. The statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, was erected at Rajkot Fort. The incident occurred on Monday and has led to an investigation and legal action against those involved in its construction.
Local police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the contractor, Jaydeep Apte, and the structural consultant, Chetan Patil. They face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including negligence and causing harm.
The collapse of the statue has sparked widespread concern and calls for accountability. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the incident as “unfortunate” and announced that officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Indian Navy, who designed and oversaw the statue’s construction, would be conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
While strong winds have been cited as a potential contributing factor, the Chief Minister has also pledged to rebuild the statue at the same location. The Indian Navy has also expressed concern over the incident and stated that they are cooperating with the state government and specialists to investigate the cause of the collapse and to expedite the restoration process.
The opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded action against the contractor and called for a thorough investigation into the quality of the construction work. NCP MP Supriya Sule has urged for the contractor and their organization to be blacklisted by all government departments.
The incident highlights the need for stringent quality control measures and accountability in construction projects, particularly those involving public monuments of historical significance. The investigation will aim to determine the extent of negligence, if any, and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
