Panels set up to probe collapse of Shivaji statue, build new one

The 35-foot statue collapsed on Monday just eight months after it was unveiled by PM Modi on December 4

PTI

Updated At : 10:15 AM Aug 29, 2024 IST

The 35-foot statue, unveiled at the Rajkot fort on Navy Day last year, collapsed on Monday. PTI

Mumbai, August 29

Maharashtra Government has set up a technical committee comprising engineers, IIT experts and Navy officials to probe reasons behind the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj statue at Malvan in coastal Konkan, an official said.

A release issued by the Chief Minister’s office after midnight said the government has also constituted a committee to build a “grand statute befitting the stature” of the warrior king.

The decision was taken by CM Eknath Shinde, who chaired a meeting with senior ministers, bureaucrats and Navy officials at his official residence Varsha in South Mumbai on Wednesday night, the release said.

An FIR has been registered against the contractor of the 35-foot statue which collapsed on Monday just eight months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4.

The FIR follows a complaint by the Public Works Department, which claims the statue’s construction was of poor quality, and the nuts and bolts used in the structure were found to be rusted.