Mumbai: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasised the need for stainless steel in constructing coastal infrastructure to prevent rusting, suggesting that if it had been used for the recently collapsed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the incident could have been avoided. The statue, which stood 35 feet tall, fell on August 26 in Malvan, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, just eight months after being unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) event on Tuesday, 3 September, Gadkari highlighted the durability of stainless steel, stating, “I have been emphasising for the last three years that stainless steel should be used in the construction of bridges built close to the sea.” Recalling an incident from his tenure as a state minister in Maharashtra, he mentioned the construction of 55 flyovers in Mumbai. “One person fooled me into believing that applying some powder on iron rods would prevent rust, but within days, the rods started rusting. Since then, I believe that any construction within a 30-kilometre radius of the coastal area should use stainless steel,” he said.
Gadkari further argued that if stainless steel had been used in constructing the Shivaji statue, it “would not have fallen 100 percent.”
Statue Collapse Sparks Political Turmoil
The fall of the statue has led to political turmoil in Maharashtra, with Prime Minister Modi recently apologising for the incident at a public meeting in Palghar. The statue’s collapse, just eight months after its inauguration, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the quality of construction.
The Sindhudurg police have issued a lookout notice for sculptor Jaideep Apte, who has been missing for over ten days since the statue’s fall at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. Authorities have registered a case against Apte and the structural engineer involved in the project under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 109 (abetment of an offence), 110 (abetment of culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125 (endangering life or personal safety of others), and 318 (cheating and forgery). The police have also invoked Section 3(5) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Call for Change in Construction Practices
Gadkari’s call for a shift towards stainless steel in coastal construction reflects a broader concern about infrastructure safety and durability, particularly in regions exposed to harsh marine environments. His remarks come at a time when there is growing scrutiny over the materials used in public works, especially in areas prone to rust and corrosion.
As the investigation into the statue’s collapse continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of selecting appropriate materials for coastal infrastructure to ensure safety and longevity.
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