Malvan: Nearly nine months after the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed at the Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s coastal Sindhudurg district, a new 91-feet-tall statue of the warrior king was unveiled at the same site on Sunday.
The previous 35-foot statue had collapsed in August last year, less than eight months after its installation, leading to widespread outrage against the government. That statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 in 2023, during the Navy Day celebrations. The collapse led to the arrest of its sculptor-contractor, Jaydeep Apte.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new grander statue at the fort in Malvan, Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said adequate care has been taken so that the new statue lasts at least 100 years in any environment. The maintenance of the statue has been given to those who built it.
Fadnavis hailed the new statue as “magnificent and divine,” noting its speedy construction by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the excellent work of noted sculptor Ram Sutar.
Engineers and art experts designed the 91-foot-tall statue to withstand the Konkan region’s unpredictable weather, with a design life of at least 100 years. The creators will also be responsible for its maintenance for the next decade.
Fadnavis said that the surrounding area would be developed to enhance the experience for visitors and showcase the grandeur of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. He also reiterated his government’s commitment to the development of the Konkan region, particularly in tourism, and assured the state’s preparedness regarding security.
Shinde described the statue as a symbol of “self-respect, glory, and bravery” for all Shivaji followers in Maharashtra. He said, “Today is a day of joy and pride, a day of self-respect for all of us. A decision to erect a new statue was taken on the same day after the collapse of the statue here. Sculptor Ram Sutar has erected the statue in record time.” Shinde added that the statue will truly be a monument of respect for tourists and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s followers.
