Negligence and Poor Construction Alleged in Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Collapse

Social Issues Social Inequalities and exclusion

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-01-31 08:59:21 |

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A controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg collapsed just eight months after its inauguration. The incident has raised concerns over the quality of construction, with allegations of negligence and poor structural integrity.

An FIR has been registered against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include collusion, fraud, and endangering public safety. The Public Works Department (PWD), which filed the complaint, claimed that the materials used in the statue’s construction were of substandard quality. The nuts and bolts holding the structure together were found to be rusted, which may have contributed to the collapse.

Local residents and tourists had previously raised concerns about the statue’s deteriorating condition. The assistant engineer of the Malvan division of the PWD had issued a warning on August 20, highlighting the corrosion of essential structural components. Despite these alerts, no action was taken to reinforce the statue.

Sindhudurg Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan confirmed that the steel used in the statue had started rusting. He stated that the PWD had already informed Navy officials about the issue and had requested intervention, but no measures were implemented in time. The Indian Navy, which was responsible for erecting the statue, had no prior experience in statue construction, further raising questions about the selection of contractors for the project.

The statue, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day at Rajkot Fort, was meant to be a symbol of Maharashtra’s heritage. However, its collapse has led to political uproar. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attributed the incident to strong winds, which were reportedly blowing at a speed of 45 km per hour at the time. The Opposition, however, has accused the government of gross negligence, alleging that the collapse was entirely preventable.

As investigations continue, the incident has sparked debate over accountability in public infrastructure projects. Many are demanding strict action against those responsible and a review of construction standards to prevent similar failures in the future.

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