Maharashtra News: Land Subsides Near Newly Inaugurated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue In Malvan, Sparks Quality Concerns

Barely a month after its grand inauguration, the land adjacent to the pedestal of the newly erected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district, has reportedly subsided, creating a large crater on the left side of the platform. The incident has sparked concerns about the quality of construction, despite repeated assurances from the government.

A video showing the subsidence has gone viral on social media, prompting quick action from local authorities. Though the statue itself remains unaffected, the incident raises questions about the structural integrity of the surrounding platform, which officials had claimed was built using top-grade materials.

The new statue was installed at the same site where a previous 40-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj collapsed on August 26, 2024, due to alleged poor construction quality. The collapse had sparked political controversy, following which the Mahayuti government undertook the project to install a taller, more durable statue.

Unveiled in May 2025 by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the new statue stands at a towering height of 83 feet, including the sword, and rests on a 10-foot pedestal. The total height from ground level reaches 93 feet. The statue depicts Shivaji Maharaj in a warrior pose and has been constructed using bronze composed of 88% copper, 4% zinc, and 8% tin. It features 6–8 mm thick bronze plating supported by a DUPLEX stainless steel frame, using corrosion-resistant SS 316 grade rods.

According to officials, the design and materials used were specifically chosen to withstand harsh coastal weather conditions and intense cyclones like Phyan, Nisarga, and Tauktae. The statue was designed by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar with an expected lifespan of at least 100 years. The contractor is also responsible for its maintenance and supervision for the next 10 years.

Despite these claims, the land cave-in near the pedestal has renewed public scrutiny over construction quality and accountability. Authorities have clarified that there is no immediate threat to the statue itself, but a detailed inspection is underway.

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