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The collapse of a 35-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj, erected at Rajkot fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, has exposed serious concerns regarding negligence and oversight. The incident, occurring just six days after the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) alerted the Indian Navy about severe rusting on the statue, has raised questions about the quality of construction and the lack of appropriate preventive measures. The PWD's letter, sent to Naval commander Abhishek Karbhari on August 20th, highlighted the alarming condition of the statue, which had been unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4th, 2022.
The letter details how the statue, constructed by the Indian Navy, had suffered significant corrosion due to exposure to ocean winds and rains. The PWD engineer expressed concern over the 'unpleasant' appearance of the statue and the negative feedback received from tourists and local residents. They urged the Navy to contact the statue's artist, Jaydeep Apte, and implement permanent solutions to address the rusting issue. Despite the PWD's warning, the statue tragically collapsed on August 26th, prompting a swift investigation by the Indian Navy.
The Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has taken a stern stance against the negligence. The state PWD minister, Ravindra Chavan, confirmed that the department had indeed written to the Navy regarding the rust problem. The police have also filed a case against the contractor, Jaydeep Apte, and the structural consultant, Chetan Patil, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to culpable homicide, endangering life, and damage to public property. The incident has sparked outrage and criticism from the opposition, forcing the Chief Minister to assure the public that the statue will be rebuilt.
The Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of quality control, maintenance, and proactive measures in public projects. The negligence shown in this case has not only resulted in the destruction of a cultural symbol but also raises serious questions about accountability and the safety of public infrastructure. The investigation into the cause of the collapse, coupled with the legal action taken against those responsible, should serve as a deterrent against similar incidents in the future.
Source: Maharashtra PWD informed Navy about rust on Shivaji statue six days before collapse