Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapse: Identifying 5 reasons behind the accident

In a shocking turn of events, the 35-foot-high bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected at the Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, collapsed on Monday. Just eight months since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the statue, a tribute to the great Maratha warrior, fell in the afternoon, breaking into several pieces and leaving only the metal feet standing.

This incident has sparked outrage, with accusations of negligence directed at the state government, particularly regarding the quality of work. As investigations begin, the public is left questioning how such an unfortunate event could have occurred so soon after the statue’s grand unveiling.

What could have caused the collapse?

1. Substandard materials and rusting

According to reports from the Public Works Department (PWD), the materials used in the statue's construction were of poor quality. The nuts and bolts used in the construction were found to be rusted and the steel that was used for the construction had begun to rust as well.

2. Rushed construction

The statue was allegedly erected in haste to meet the deadline for its inauguration by Prime Minister Modi on Navy Day. Yuvraj Sambhajiraje of Kolhapur criticised the hurried process, stating that the statue was "shapeless" and poorly constructed, indicating a lack of proper planning and quality control.

3. Inadequate structural design

The structural integrity of the statue has come under scrutiny, with experts suggesting that the design and materials were not sufficient to withstand environmental conditions, particularly in a coastal region like Sindhudurg. This oversight points to a failure in the consultation and construction phases, further exacerbated by the fact that the Indian Navy, which lacks expertise in statue construction, was tasked with the project.

4. Neglect of maintenance warnings

Multiple warnings were allegedly issued regarding the deteriorating condition of the statue, by both locals and tourists. Local authorities, including the assistant engineer of the PWD’s Malvan division, raised concerns about the rusting components. However, these alerts were ignored, allowing the structure to weaken over time without any corrective action being taken.

5. Adverse weather conditions

Sindhudurg had experienced heavy rains and strong winds in the days leading up to the collapse. While weather alone may not fully explain the incident, it likely played a significant role in accelerating the failure of an already compromised structure. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mentioned wind speeds of 45 km per hour at the time of the collapse, indicating that environmental forces, combined with the statue’s fragility, were a critical factor in the incident.

For now, an FIR has been registered against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include collusion, fraud and endangering public safety.