On August 26, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Fort Rajkot, Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, collapsed, prompting a wave of criticism and concern. The Public Works Department (PWD) Assistant Engineer for the Malvan Division had previously warned the Indian Navy’s Area Coastal Security Officer, Commander Abhishek Karbhari, about the statue’s deteriorating condition.
The PWD had issued a warning letter on August 20, 2024, highlighting the severe rusting and corrosion of the metal components of the statue, designed and created by sculptor Jaydeep Apte from Kalyan (Thane). The monsoon and salty air from the Arabian Sea had contributed to the statue’s decay, making it unsightly and attracting criticism from locals, public representatives, and tourists.
Additionally, Chhatrapati Yuvraj Chhatrapati, the 13th direct descendant of the Maratha warrior king, raised concerns about the rushed design and erection of the statue unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023. The statue, ordered on September 8, 2023, was completed in just 85 days, despite Apte’s claim that such a statue typically requires three years to build.
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Local dissatisfaction with the statue’s quality was evident, prompting Apte to undertake repairs just six months after the unveiling. The bronze statue, standing 28 feet tall on a 10-foot pedestal, was subject to the harsh effects of monsoon winds and salt-laden air, which likely contributed to its collapse, according to an official from the Sindhudurg Collectorate.
Sindhudurg Collector Kishor Tawade stated that PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan visited the site on Monday evening to discuss the situation. Tawade indicated that officials would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and plan restoration efforts.
Immediate Steps To Repair and Restore
Moreover, in response to the incident, the Navy dispatched a team to investigate and take immediate steps to repair and restore the statue. The Chief Minister Shinde government is facing significant embarrassment and political pressure as the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach. Opposition parties, including the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress, NCP(SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil, have criticized the government for its handling of the situation.
Yuvraj Chhatrapati further called for a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the statue, cautioning against rushing the project. NCP(SP) President Sharad Pawar and other critics have pointed to the statue’s collapse as indicative of broader issues of corruption and inefficiency within the ruling Mahayuti regime. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has vowed to hold those responsible for the debacle accountable, promising political repercussions in the upcoming elections.
