Engineer Denies Role in Shivaji Statue Collapse, Points Finger at Others

A structural engineer, Chetan Patil, has denied involvement in the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at Fort Rajkot. Patil, named in the First Information Report (FIR), stated his role was limited to designing the platform the statue stood on. The 35-foot monument, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2022, collapsed on August 26, sparking controversy and political accusations. Patil emphasized that he was not the structural consultant for the statue itself, and a Thane-based company was responsible for that aspect of the project. The statue’s collapse has led to political fallout, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Maharashtra PWD, responsible for the project, has alleged substandard construction work, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar offered a public apology. The Indian Navy, which built the original statue, has pledged to restore it and is investigating the cause of the collapse.