A disturbing incident of land subsidence near the pedestal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district, has sparked public outrage and political criticism. A massive crater has formed beside the platform, and videos of the damaged site have gone viral on social media, spreading fear and concern among local residents.
The incident has raised serious questions about the quality of construction work, especially given that crores of rupees were spent on developing the area around the statue. In response to the incident, Sindhudurg District Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane has briefed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. An immediate on-site inspection was ordered, and authorities have been instructed to take all necessary precautions. Locals have been urged to stay away from the affected area until it is declared safe.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also commented on the incident, criticizing the government for alleged negligence.
"Crores were spent on this statue and its pedestal. Despite this, the land is collapsing. This raises suspicion of poor-quality work or financial mismanagement," Raut said.
Many citizens have drawn comparisons between the Malvan statue and the Shivaji statue at Shiv Tirtha near the Gateway of India, which stands sturdily in the sea and has not reported such issues. Residents are now asking why a similar structure on land has shown such flaws within a short time of construction.
The Sambhaji Brigade has expressed strong displeasure over the incident. In a strongly worded statement, the group has demanded a complete inspection of Rajkot Fort and a re-evaluation of the Shivaji Maharaj statue's structural integrity.
"If the government continues to be negligent in this matter, we will consider it an anti-Shivaji administration," the Brigade warned.
The incident has once again brought to the forefront concerns over public infrastructure quality, accountability in spending, and the preservation of historical and cultural landmarks. A detailed technical audit and swift corrective action are now expected by citizens and cultural organizations alike.