Overview

• The new 91-foot bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, including a 10-foot pedestal, was inaugurated on May 11, 2025, at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
• The monument replaces the original 35-foot statue that collapsed in August 2024 due to heavy rain and wind, seven months after being unveiled by PM Narendra Modi.
• Engineered with inputs from IIT Mumbai and Ram Sutar’s firm, the new design incorporates weather-resistant materials and is projected to last 100 years, with a 10-year maintenance guarantee.
• The project, completed at a cost of ₹31.75 crore, features a stainless steel framework and high-grade concrete, ensuring resilience against the Konkan region's extreme weather conditions.
• The collapse of the previous statue led to political criticism of the BJP-led government, arrests of the sculptor and consultant, and an ongoing police investigation.