Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has stated that the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, could have been avoided if stainless steel had been used in its construction. Speaking at a Ficci event, Gadkari emphasized that stainless steel, known for its rust-resistant properties, is particularly suitable for coastal regions. He pointed out that the use of such material in infrastructure projects near the sea could prevent similar issues.
Gadkari recounted his experience with infrastructure projects, noting that during his tenure as a state minister, he had advocated for the use of stainless steel in bridge construction to combat rust. He recalled a past incident where he was misled about the effectiveness of powder-coating on iron rods, which ultimately proved inadequate against rust. Gadkari asserted that if stainless steel had been used for the Shivaji statue, it would not have collapsed.
In the wake of the statue’s collapse, which occurred on August 26, Sindhudurg police have issued a lookout notice for sculptor Jaydeep Apte, who has been missing for over ten days. An FIR has been filed against Apte and structural engineer Chetan Patil under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. While Patil is currently in police custody, Apte remains at large.
The statue, a 35-foot tall depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort on Navy Day (December 4) last year. Its collapse has sparked controversy and calls for a review of material standards in coastal infrastructure projects.
