A 10-metre statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which had been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Malvan in Sindhudurg district, collapsed on Monday. The incident, which occurred around 1 pm, has drawn significant criticism from opposition parties, who have blamed the state government for negligence and poor quality of work.
Heavy rains and winds are suspected to be contributing factors.
According to local authorities, the collapse of the statue could have been due to the recent adverse weather conditions. Sindhudurg district has been experiencing heavy rains and winds for the past two to three days. While experts are expected to investigate and ascertain the exact cause of the collapse, weather-related factors are currently being considered as possible contributors.
Opposition blames state government for negligence
Following the incident, opposition leaders have been openly criticising the state government. NCP (SP) state president and former minister Jayant Patil accused the government of prioritising the event over the quality of the statue’s construction. “The state government is responsible for this collapse due to their lack of proper care. They were more focused on organising an event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi than ensuring that the statue was built to last,” Patil said. He further alleged that the government’s approach to the project involved issuing fresh tenders, accepting commissions and awarding contracts without proper oversight.
Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Vaibhav Naik condemned the alleged shoddy workmanship and stressed the need for a thorough probe into those responsible for the construction and installation of the statue. “The state government may try to shirk responsibility, but those responsible for this project must be investigated thoroughly,” Naik said.
Government response
Responding to the criticism, Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar acknowledged the incident but noted that he did not have all the details at the time. He referred to a statement by Public Works Minister Ravindra Chavan, who is also the guardian minister of Sindhudurg district, stating that a thorough investigation will be carried out.
Kesarkar also assured that the government is committed to rectifying the situation. “We are committed to erecting a new statue at the same location. This statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, honours Shivaji Maharaj’s visionary efforts in building a sea fort. We will take all necessary steps to address this issue in an expeditious and effective manner,” he said.
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