Sharad Pawar Suggests Corruption May Have Contributed to Statue Collapse; Backs Gadkari’s Approach
Mumbai, 5th September 2024: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently sparked potential controversy by suggesting that the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would not have collapsed if stainless steel had been used in its construction. Speaking at a Ficci event on Wednesday, Gadkari expressed his frustration with past construction practices, noting his recommendation for stainless steel in coastal regions was often overlooked. He recounted an instance where iron rods were merely powder-coated to prevent rust, but this proved ineffective. The statue, unveiled by PM Modi on Navy Day, fell on August 26, over eight months after its installation at Rajkot Fort in Malvan tehsil.
During the event, Gadkari stated, “Stainless steel should be utilized for structures near the sea. If it had been used for Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue, it wouldn’t have fallen. When I oversaw the construction of 55 flyovers in Mumbai, I was deceived by a contractor who used a powder coating on iron rods, claiming they were rust-proof. However, rusting still occurred. Stainless steel should be used within 30 kilometres of the sea.”
In response, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar praised Gadkari for his work and supported his comments on the statue’s collapse. Pawar noted, “Gadkari approaches his work with dedication and high standards. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Kolhapur-Belgaum Road, among others, are examples of his significant contributions. It’s unnecessary to politicize this issue. Gadkari’s comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue were likely made after consulting experts.”
Pawar also suggested that “corruption” might have been a factor in the statue’s collapse, implicating it in the incident at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district last month.
