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The collapsed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort, in Malvan. (PTI file photo)
Issues such as internal corrosion and defects in the welding were also identified as the main factors in the incident
The committee tasked with investigating the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue, which happened in August, has submitted a 16-page report to the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, concluding that rust and a weak frame were the key reasons contributing to the statue’s downfall.
According to the report, the structural integrity of the statue, which stands 33 feet tall, was insufficient to support its weight. Issues such as internal corrosion and defects in the welding were also identified as the main factors in the incident.
The statue, a tribute to the founder of the 17th-century Maratha empire, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district on December 4 (Navy Day) last year, but it fell on August 26 during strong winds.
Following the incident, sculptor Jaydeep Apte was arrested. Opposition parties have also slammed the Mahayuti government, alleging that the decision to erect the statue in Sindhudurg was made hastily, which resulted in poor quality of work.
(With inputs from agencies)