Nagpur: With the final approval to fell trees secured, work on what is anticipated to become the tallest statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is set to commence next week at the Nagpur University campus.
The project, spearheaded by Shiv Smarak Samiti, an NGO, was initially inaugurated in June last year with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and various political leaders across party lines. Originally, the statue was planned to be unveiled within a year of the ceremony, but delays occurred as the Samiti awaited full clearance, particularly for cutting down four trees at the construction site.
“All the major approvals were secured, and we were waiting to get clearance for cutting four trees that stand at the site. We have recently obtained the permission and will be required to deposit ₹1.93 lakh with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for that, after which we can proceed with the work,” said Mangesh Duke, Secretary of Shiv Smarak Samiti.
The statue, which will depict Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seated on a throne, is planned to stand approximately 52 feet tall, with the figure of the king itself measuring around 40 feet. The design has been approved by the government, and stringent safety norms will be adhered to, especially in light of a recent incident in Malvan, Duke added. Once construction begins, the statue is expected to be completed within nine months.
Gaurav Dubewar, Principal Designer of M/s Team 360 Designs, the firm responsible for executing the project, revealed that the statue would weigh around 10 tonnes. "In terms of height, it can be compared to a ground plus four-storey building. The structure will also be earthquake-resistant as a part of the safety measures," Dubewar noted.
Extensive testing of the soil’s load-bearing capacity has been conducted to determine the appropriate construction materials. While 10 tonnes might seem substantial, Dubewar emphasized that it is relatively light for a structure of this scale, noting that a typical five-story building would weigh more.
The Samiti navigated a lengthy approval process for this project. In addition to structural clearances, the state’s Directorate of Arts approved the statue's design, including the facial features, which were carefully finalized. The primary structure is already under construction in Kolhapur, according to Duke.
Once completed, the statue will not only be an iconic addition to Nagpur but also a significant tribute to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
