Sun May 11 17:12:29 UTC 2025: ## New, Larger Shivaji Statue Unveiled in Maharashtra
**Mumbai, May 11, 2025** – Nine months after a previous statue collapsed, a new and larger statue of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled today at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. The 91-foot-tall bronze statue, built at a cost of ₹31.75 crore, is now the tallest of its kind in India.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presided over the ceremony, stating the statue’s construction was completed in record time and is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. The CM emphasized the statue’s importance in inspiring future generations and boosting tourism in the region. He also noted the government’s commitment to security in Maharashtra.
The project, completed by Ram Sutar’s company, incorporates a stainless steel framework and high-grade materials for durability, with a projected lifespan of 100 years and a ten-year maintenance guarantee. The design was verified by the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. The previous statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2024, collapsed, prompting an apology from the PM, a police investigation, and the construction of this replacement. The sculptor responsible for the collapse of the previous statue, Jaydeep Apte, remains in judicial custody. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other ministers attended the unveiling.
First Piper 