Pune Municipal Corporation Initiates Structural Audit of Statues Following Collapse Incident in Sindhudurg

Pune, 30th November 2024: The recent incident of the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district has raised concerns across Maharashtra and beyond. The incident has prompted a reassessment of the safety of statues in Pune, known as the cultural capital of the state. In response, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a structural audit of all the statues within the city to ensure their safety.

An initial inspection by municipal officials revealed that some statues may require repairs. To accurately assess the condition of older statues, the PMC has decided to employ advanced technology, including the ‘Ultrasonic Tomography Test,’ to evaluate the internal strength of the statues.

The Building Design Department of the PMC has started conducting a structural audit of all statues under its jurisdiction. This audit will help determine the structural integrity and safety of statues across the city. Many of these statues, some of which are 40 to 50 years old, will undergo the ultrasonic tomography test to check whether their internal structure remains intact.

Yuvraj Deshmukh, Chief Engineer of the Building Department, explained, “The inspection will be carried out using sophisticated equipment to assess the internal condition of the statues. Although many of these statues appear to be in good condition externally, it’s crucial to check their strength from the inside.”

The audit covers 80 statues, including both half-length and full-length statues, that have been erected by the PMC within the city limits. These statues are considered significant in preserving the city’s cultural heritage, and their safety is of utmost importance. In the first phase, the PMC has inspected these statues, of which 25 are between 40 to 45 years old.

While the external appearance of these statues may seem fine, the municipality has decided to conduct in-depth checks to ensure their structural safety. Minor repairs have already been made to some statues, and further repairs will be carried out as needed.

To facilitate the process of conducting these inspections, the PMC will issue a tender for the advanced testing equipment and services required. Deshmukh added, “The process will be carried out through a tendering procedure, which will be advertised to ensure transparency and proper execution.”