- August 27, 2024
Collapsed statue of Shivaji Maharaj was built by Navy, says Fadnavis; Opposition slams govt for shifting blame | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the Navy, not the state government, was responsible for the construction of the 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district which collapsed on Monday.
Fadnavis suggested that the makers of the statue may have failed to consider crucial local factors, such as high wind speed and the quality of the iron used, which could have made the statue more susceptible to rust due to its exposure to ocean winds.
“The construction of the statue was not overseen by the state government but by the Navy. The individuals responsible for the fabrication and installation of the statue might have overlooked important local factors, such as high wind speed and the quality of the iron used. The statue might have become more prone to rust due to its exposure to ocean winds,” Fadnavis said.
“It is our resolve to build a bigger statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same site,” Fadnavis said. He also mentioned that an inquiry into the incident was ongoing.
Responding to the opposition parties’ criticism of the state government over the incident, Fadnavis said, “The collapse of the statue is painful, but the opposition parties’ stand on it is distasteful. There is no need to politicise the issue as it would be seen as shallow.”
The opposition parties have accused the government of hastily installing the statue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Following the collapse, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde attributed the incident to a wind speed of 45 km per hour. State Public Works Department (PWD) minister Ravindra Chavan revealed that PWD officials had noticed rust on the statue and had informed the Navy in writing.
Fadnavis suggested that the makers of the statue may have failed to consider crucial local factors, such as high wind speed and the quality of the iron used, which could have made the statue more susceptible to rust due to its exposure to ocean winds.
“The construction of the statue was not overseen by the state government but by the Navy. The individuals responsible for the fabrication and installation of the statue might have overlooked important local factors, such as high wind speed and the quality of the iron used. The statue might have become more prone to rust due to its exposure to ocean winds,” Fadnavis said.
“It is our resolve to build a bigger statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same site,” Fadnavis said. He also mentioned that an inquiry into the incident was ongoing.
Responding to the opposition parties’ criticism of the state government over the incident, Fadnavis said, “The collapse of the statue is painful, but the opposition parties’ stand on it is distasteful. There is no need to politicise the issue as it would be seen as shallow.”
The opposition parties have accused the government of hastily installing the statue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Following the collapse, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde attributed the incident to a wind speed of 45 km per hour. State Public Works Department (PWD) minister Ravindra Chavan revealed that PWD officials had noticed rust on the statue and had informed the Navy in writing.
Opposition slams govt for blaming Navy
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the ruling BJP government, expressing disbelief that even the revered figure’s monument could fall victim to alleged corruption within the BJP’s ranks.
“It is unimaginable that the statue of our deity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would also be a subject of the BJP’s corruption,” Thackeray stated in his post.
The opposition leader further accused the BJP of attempting to shift the blame onto the Indian Navy. He pointed out a pattern of favoritism towards certain contractors, subpar quality of work, and inaugurations timed to coincide with elections rather than genuine sentiment.
