Statue of Shivaji to be taken from NCR to Maha by April

The high energy among 150 workers at the Ram Sutar Fine Art Limited foundry in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh, was palpable on Monday afternoon as finishing touches were being given to parts of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, commissioned by the Maharashtra government in October 2024, at the cost of ₹21 crore.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

GHAZIABAD:

The deadline for the project was February 19, 2025, when the 60-feet tall statue was slated to be inaugurated at Rajkot Fort, in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, to mark the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti. Incidentally, it is also the day when the Padma Bhushan decorated sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar turns 100.

While the lower legs of the statue, measuring 15 feet, have already been sent to Sindhudurg, the upper legs and torso—measuring 35 feet—are complete but being given the final touches at the foundry in UP. The Sutars say the sculpture will be ready only by April 15, and will be created in 50 parts, which will be assembled at the site.