Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the formation of a joint technical committee comprising experts, structural engineers, and officials from the Indian Navy and the state government to investigate the recent collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot fort, in Malvan. The committee is tasked with determining the precise reasons behind the unfortunate incident and ensuring such occurrences do not happen in the future.
The decision was taken at a late night meeting on Wednesday at the official residence of the Chief Minister, Varsha, in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Public Works Minister and Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan, School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal, Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works) Manisha Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asim Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Brijesh Singh, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Rear Admiral Manish Chadha, and renowned sculptors Ram Sutar, Vinay Wagh, and Shashikant Wadke.
Chief Minister Shinde emphasised the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the deep emotional impact the incident has had on Shivaji Maharaj’s devotees. He stated, “The collapse of the statue is a tragic incident, and it has caused immense pain to the people who hold Shivaji Maharaj in the highest regard. The statue was erected by the Navy at Rajkot as a mark of respect during Navy Day celebrations. We must ensure that such incidents never occur again.”
To this end, the newly formed committee will not only determine responsibility for the collapse but also propose measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
New Statue To Be Constructed
Additionally, Chief Minister Shinde has directed the Public Works Department to establish another committee consisting of top sculptors, structural engineers, and technical experts from the Navy and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to oversee the construction of a new grand statue. This statue will be a fitting tribute to the legendary warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Shinde assured that the state government would spare no effort or resources in erecting a new statue that truly befits the stature and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. He stated, “The new statue must be as grand as the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj himself. We will ensure that the project receives all necessary funding and support.”
The incident has sparked a wave of emotional reactions across Maharashtra, with people demanding a thorough investigation and appropriate action. The formation of the joint technical committee is seen as a decisive step toward addressing these concerns and restoring the honour of the iconic leader through a new, magnificent statue.
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