Many people were shocked by the recent collapse of Pune’s Shivaji Maharaj Statue, leading to several individuals involved in its construction being named in an official complaint. One of the engineers responsible for the project, who was named in the FIR, has since stepped forward to explain his role.
The engineer, who wishes to remain anonymous, addressed the media, expressing his shock at being associated with the incident. He clarified that his sole responsibility was the construction of the platform on which the statue was placed; the design and installation of the statue itself were handled by a different team.
“I was solely responsible for designing and supervising the platform’s construction,” the engineer stated. “A separate team was in charge of the statue. I vouch for the platform’s integrity, as it was built according to all necessary safety regulations and standards.”
All project members have been named in the FIR, prompting a more thorough investigation into the incident.
The engineer has urged authorities to differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the various teams involved in the project and called for a fair assessment of the facts as the investigation moves forward.
Shortly after it was erected, the statue collapsed, drawing harsh criticism from both the public and government officials. Many have demanded a complete inquiry into the cause of the collapse, with calls for accountability for those responsible.
Preliminary reports suggest that structural issues with the statue, rather than the platform, may have caused the collapse. Authorities have confirmed that a formal investigation is underway.
In response to public sentiment, the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister have issued apologies to the public for the incident.
