Statue Collapse in Uttar Pradesh Due to Substandard Materials

In Maharashtra, India, a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed on August 26, 2024, just months after its unveiling by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statue was constructed using substandard materials, as revealed by a technical investigation that found extensive rusting in various parts. Parmeshwar Ramnaresh Yadav, a fabricator involved in the project's construction, was arrested for using inferior materials and improper welding techniques which contributed to the statue's failure. He has been remanded in police custody for further investigation. Other key individuals connected to the statue's creation have also faced arrest. In response to the collapse, the Maharashtra government has contracted Ram Sutar Art Creations, famous for the Statue of Unity, to build a new statue. This new structure will be 60 feet tall, nearly twice the height of the original. The government has mandated that it must be constructed with the highest quality materials and have a minimum lifespan of 100 years. Additionally, the new contractor is responsible for its maintenance for the first decade, addressing concerns raised by the previous incident. The incident has led to significant embarrassment for state and central authorities, given the statue's symbolic importance to the Maratha Empire. The new project aims to restore public confidence in such monumental constructions and avoid repeating past failures. The spectacle surrounding the statue's unveiling and its collapse demands accountability from those involved in its production.