Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's New Statue Likely To Be Unveiled At Malvan's Rajkot Fort On May 1

Mumbai: Nearly eight months after the dramatic collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, the Mahayuti government is preparing to unveil a new, much taller statue of the Maratha warrior king at the same location. The new statue, standing at an impressive height of 83 feet including the sword, is set to be inaugurated on May 1 to mark Maharashtra Day, as per reports.

Details On New Statue

The bronze statue, constructed at a cost of Rs 21.9 crore, has been crafted by the firm of renowned sculptor Ram Sutar. His son, Anil Sutar, confirmed that finishing touches are underway and scaffolding has begun to come down. “The pedestal alone is 10 feet high, while the statue with the sword rises to 83 feet. We started fabrication in October-November last year and the statue was transported in 10-foot sections from our Noida facility. Assembly began on March 3,” said Sutar, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

'New Statue To Stand Tall For At Least 100 Years,' Claim Officials

Unlike its predecessor, the new statue has been engineered for durability. It features a robust internal frame made from duplex stainless steel and stands on a three-metre-high concrete pedestal. Officials said it has undergone structural assessments by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology and it comes with a guarantee to last at least 100 years. “We’ve taken all precautions to ensure stability and safety this time,” confirmed Mahendra Kini, executive engineer with the Sawantwadi division of the Public Works Department.

The earlier statue collapsed in August 2024, only months after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to widespread criticism and political backlash just ahead of the state elections. The incident proved embarrassing for the ruling alliance, leading Modi to publicly apologise.

Internal Corrosion, Welding Flaws Among Reasons Behind Statue Collapse

A government inquiry later attributed the collapse to internal corrosion, rusting, welding flaws and an overall weak structural design. As a result, the statue’s sculptor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil were arrested on charges including negligence, fraud and compromising public safety. Apte was later granted bail by the Bombay HC in January 2025. Justice NR Borkar granted him bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000.

The unveiling of the new statue aims not only to restore the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan but also to repair the government's public image after the earlier debacle. With heightened scrutiny on quality and safety, the state hopes the new monument will stand the test of time and serve as a proud symbol of Maratha heritage for generations to come.

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