Navi Mumbai: Just weeks after the inauguration of a new 60-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg, a portion of the ground surrounding the statue’s pedestal has subsided, triggering controversy and fresh allegations of corruption. The statue, unveiled by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 11, replaced a previous 28-foot version that collapsed in August 2024 — less than eight months after being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to reports, the ground near the pedestal began sinking on Saturday, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the installation site. Locals claimed the area had been reclaimed and filled before the installation, followed by concrete work, and that the recent rainfall likely accelerated soil settlement.
Sindhudurg Collector Anil Patil told PTI that the ground had indeed subsided due to rain, but added that the issue was minor and had already been addressed. The Public Works Department (PWD) initiated immediate repair work, with the Sawantwadi division taking the lead. Konkan divisional chief engineer Sharad Rajbhoj, who inspected the site on Monday, confirmed that the statue remains stable and undamaged.
“This is a result of natural soil settlement after rainfall,” PWD officials explained, downplaying the seriousness of the issue. However, growing political criticism has led to increased scrutiny.
State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that the subsidence pointed to poor construction standards and rampant corruption. “The fact that a hole has appeared within a month of inauguration is a serious concern. This reflects shoddy work, just like the previous statue collapse,” he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders echoed similar concerns and demanded a full investigation into the matter.
During the inspection by the divisional chief engineer, protestors from both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) gathered at the site, demanding the identity of the contractor and accountability for the repeated structural failures. Rajbhoj responded by stating that a committee would be formed to investigate the incident, and assured that action would be taken if negligence or malpractice was found. The name of the contracting firm remains undisclosed.
The new statue, including its 23-foot pedestal, reaches a total height of 83 feet and was crafted by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar. Constructed at a cost of ₹31.7 crore, the monument was designed to endure wind speeds up to 200 km/h. Its structural and metallurgical integrity was reviewed by IIT-Bombay professors, while wind tunnel testing was certified by Windtech, a firm based in Sydney.
Despite these precautions, the earlier version of the statue collapsed on August 26, 2024, reportedly due to high winds. That incident, too, sparked widespread criticism and led to accusations of substandard construction. CM Fadnavis had ordered the commissioning of a more robust structure, which was finally inaugurated after a ceremonial puja last month.
With yet another incident casting a shadow over the monument, the state government is facing renewed demands for transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects — especially ones that carry immense cultural and historical symbolism.
