Shivaji statue controversy: How a 35-feet structure was built despite approval for just 6 feet

MUMBAI: Maharashtra directorate of art had given approval only for a 6-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji for Malvan's Rajkot fort based on a clay model submitted by the sculptor, its director Rajiv Mishra said on Thursday.
He said that once the nod was given, the directorate was not informed the statue would be 35-ft tall, nor did it know steel plates would be used in the structure.
The statue's collapse on Monday has sparked a political controversy. An official said Rs 2.44 crore was transferred by state PWD to Navy which was putting up the statue. Navy appointed the sculptor and consultant and once the design was finalised, it was sent for approval to the directorate. The height would have been increased later, the official said.
On Aug 20, PWD had written to Navy about rusting of nuts and bolts of the statue.
"The directorate had no way to check structural stability or the material used. This was the responsibility of Navy as it appointed the sculptor and consultant," the official said.
Mishra said that from now on, artists and sculptors should be asked to get final approval from the directorate after a statute is erected and not just based on a clay model. This should be a condition for approval, he added.