Shivaji statue collapse: Panel report cites rusted structure, faulty design, poor maintenance
State Industries Minister Uday Samant Thursday said that an appropriate action would be taken against those who are found guilty.
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue (File Photo)Factors such as rusted structure, faulty design, poor maintenance and poor welding led to the collapse of the 35-foot Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue installed at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg last month.
This is part of the findings of the report submitted by the joint technical committee, formed to investigate the collapse of the statue. The committee comprising officials from Indian Navy, Public Works Department (PWD) also included representatives from the Maharashtra government and technical experts.
A senior government official privy to the development confirmed to The Indian Express that “the committee submitted its 16-page report to the government earlier this week and it has pointed that factors such as rusted structure, faulty design, poor maintenance and poor welding led to the collapse of the statue.”
He further said that the report also points that the overall structure and frame of the statue was not strong enough to bear its weight.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant Thursday said that an appropriate action would be taken against those who are found guilty.
“If rusted material or rods were used for erecting the statue and there was negligence in maintenance of the statue then action would be taken against those responsible,” Samant said.
The 35-feet statue that was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg on Navy Day (December 4) last year, collapsed on August 26.
The Sindhudurg Police had registered an FIR against the sculptor and the structural consultant under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for charges including attempt to commit culpable homicide, attempt to murder and cheating.
The FIR against sculptor Jaideep Apte , proprietor of the firm Artistry, and structural consultant Dr Chetan S Patil, was based on a complaint filed by Ajit Patil, assistant engineer of Public Works Department.
The complaint alleged poor construction and material quality, with rusted nuts and bolts discovered in the structure in the inspection carried out by the PWD on August 20.
It further stated that the contractor was also informed and instructed to take permanent measures for the stability of the structure.
Earlier this week, the PWD had floated a tender to re-build a new statue of Shivaji Maharaj at the Rajkot fort.
As per the tender, a new 60-feet statue will be built at the cost of Rs 20 crore within six months of time and will have guarantee of 100 years.
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