Navy on Shivaji statue: Conceptualised, steered project with state govt which also gave funds

The Navy said the statue was unveiled as part of the Navy Day celebrations, held for the first time in Sindhudurg district, aimed at honouring the legacy of the 'Maratha Navy' and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy.

Mumbai: Days after the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed in Sindhudurg, the Indian Navy said that the project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Maharashtra government, who also provided funding for it.

Expressing commitment to the restoration, it said, “The Indian Navy remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest.”

The statue was unveiled on 4 December 2023 as part of Navy Day celebrations conducted for the first time in Sindhudurg, aimed to honour the legacy and contributions of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy.

"A joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Govt and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, subject to the exceptional weather conditions in the region,” it said.