A significant and distressing incident occurred when a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Navy Day celebrations in December last year, collapsed on Monday at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. The statue, which had become a prominent symbol of Maratha pride and historical reverence, fell under circumstances that are still under investigation. Recent heavy rainfall and gusty winds in the area are considered potential contributors to the collapse, but a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the precise cause.
The statue was inaugurated by PM Modi on December 4, 2023, as part of the Navy Day celebrations held at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. The fort, known for its historical significance and as a site of various cultural and political events, was chosen as the location for this grand tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The statue was intended to honor Shivaji Maharaj's strategic genius and leadership, which played a pivotal role in the history of the region.
Following the collapse, senior officials from the police and district administration swiftly arrived at the site to assess the damage and initiate an investigation into the incident. The Maharashtra government has come under scrutiny, with critics questioning the quality and safety of the construction. The statue's collapse has sparked a broader debate about the standards and practices involved in public infrastructure projects.
Opposition parties have been vocal in their criticism of the Maharashtra government, alleging that the collapse was a result of shoddy workmanship. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Vaibhav Naik, who visited the site for inspection, accused the government of negligence and poor construction quality. Naik emphasized that the government should be held accountable for the failure and that a thorough probe is necessary to identify and address the lapses in the construction process.
NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the state government's focus on the event surrounding the statue's inauguration overshadowed its responsibility to ensure the structure's durability and safety. Patil criticized the government's handling of the project, implying that the emphasis on political events detracted from proper oversight and quality control.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the government, raising concerns about the contractor responsible for the statue's construction. Chaturvedi questioned whether appropriate action had been taken against the contractor and hinted at potential corruption in the contract-awarding process. She called for transparency and accountability in addressing these issues.
In response to the allegations, Maharashtra state minister Deepak Kesarkar assured that the government was committed to rebuilding the statue at the same location. He stressed that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Kesarkar emphasized the government's dedication to addressing the situation promptly and ensuring that the new statue would continue to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy. Public Works Department Minister Ravindra Chavan, who also serves as the guardian minister of Sindhudurg, has pledged to oversee a thorough inquiry into the matter.
The collapse of the statue has not only highlighted concerns about construction quality but also intensified scrutiny of the government's handling of public projects. The response from the Maharashtra government and the ongoing investigation will be critical in addressing public concerns and restoring confidence in the management of such significant infrastructure projects. This incident underscores the need for rigorous standards and oversight in the construction and maintenance of public monuments and structures.
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