Now the work of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue is being done by the company of famous sculptor Ram Sutar
Maharashtra: The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan of Sindhudurg district, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collapsed in August. The tragedy had led to an upheaval in state politics. Now four months later, news has come that the state government has given the work of building a 60-feet statue here to the company of senior sculptor Ram Sutar and his son Anil Sutar. Ram Sutar Art Creations Pvt Ltd. This company had earlier overseen the work of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s ‘Statue of Unity’ statue in Gujarat. A statue was installed at Rajkot Fort in Malvan of Sindhudurg district to appreciate the work of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of Navy Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the statue of Shivaji in Malvan on 4 December 2023. However, the 35-feet statue collapsed on 26 August. After this, a tender process of Rs 20 crore was started through the Public Works Department to install a new Shiva statue. The state government had issued a tender for the design, engineering, fabrication, installation, operation and maintenance of the statue of Shiva Chhatrapati Maharaj at Rajkot Fort. Two companies, Garnet Interiors and Ram Sutar Art Creation Pvt Ltd, had submitted their tenders to the Public Works Department for the statue work. The company submitted a bid of Rs 36.05 crore.
After comparing the quotes of other bidders, Ram Sutar’s company was awarded the work for Rs 20.95 crore. A Public Works Department official said that as per the tender conditions, Ram Sutar’s company had bid at a higher rate than other companies. But later during negotiations, L1 showed its readiness to match the price and hence his company was given the work. They will have to complete the work within six months.
How will the statue be?
The Indian Express contacted Anil Sutar to get details about the work. He said that our company has been given the contract and we have been given the work of making a 60 feet high, 8 mm thick statue made of bronze.
According to the information given by the officials, the height of the statue from head to toe will be 60 feet. A strong foundation of 3 meters high will be built to support the statue. According to the tender, a condition has been laid to make a statue that will last for 100 years. The contractor company has also laid a condition to maintain and repair the statue for 10 years.
First of all, a 3 feet high fiber model will be made. Actual construction will be started only after the approval of the Directorate of Art. It is alleged that the approval of the Directorate of Art was not taken for the previous statue. A government official said that the project of the new statue has been given to IIT-Mumbai and an experienced contractor company. Apart from this, the help of experts will also be taken to strengthen the statue.
