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Maharashtra

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse: New 60-Ft Tall Statue To Be Built In Sindhudurg By Firm That Constructed Statue Of Unity

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Mumbai: The state government of Maharashtra has awarded a new contract to Ram Sutar Art Creations for the construction of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Sindhudurg, replacing the one that collapsed on August 26. The company, led by Anil Ram Sutar, is renowned for its work on the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, a monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, ‘India’s Iron Man.’

The new statue will stand 60 feet tall, significantly surpassing the height of the previous statue, which was 33 feet. After the earlier statue collapsed just nine months after being unveiled, the government is taking extra precautions this time. The contract stipulates that the statue should last for at least 100 years, with the builder responsible for maintaining it for the first decade.

About Earlier Statue Collapse Mishap

The earlier statue, which had been unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, on the eve of Navy Day, collapsed in August 2024, leading to widespread embarrassment for both the state and central governments. The state ordered an investigation, which revealed that the statue’s downfall was due to corrosion, a weak frame, and poor welding. The findings prompted swift action to restore the statue and ensure a more durable structure.

Manisha Mhaiskar, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), confirmed to HT that Ram Sutar Art Creations was selected for the project. The tender for the new statue was published in late September, and the state government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the project.

Two Committes Set Up For Statue Work

In response to the collapse of the original statue, two committees were set up: one to investigate the cause of the failure and another, led by Mhaiskar, to oversee the construction of the new and larger statue. The new project is seen as a way to restore the honour associated with the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, one of Maharashtra’s most revered historical figures.

With heightened scrutiny on the project, the state government aims to ensure that the new statue stands the test of time, serving as a lasting tribute to Shivaji Maharaj and reflecting the state’s pride in its cultural and historical legacy.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray Returns To Matoshree After Undergoing Angioplasty At Reliance Hospital

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Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray Returns To Matoshree After Undergoing Angioplasty At Reliance Hospital

The former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday returned to his residence ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai after undergoing an angioplasty at Sir H N Reliance Hospital.

As per reports, Thackeray was admitted to HN Reliance Hospital for an “extensive” heart checkup on Monday.

Giving an update on Thackeray’s health, his son Aaditya Thackeray, in a post on X later said that the checkup was a pre-planned one and that his father was ready to go back to work.

“This morning, Uddhav Thackeray ji did a pre planned detailed check up at the Sir HN Reliance Hospital. With your best wishes, All is well, and he is fully ready to get to work and serve the people,” wrote Aaditya in a post on X.

This morning, Uddhav Thackeray ji did a pre planned detailed check up at the Sir HN Reliance Hospital.

With your best wishes, All is well, and he is fully ready to get to work and serve the people.

Earlier in 2016, Thackeray was discharged from the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai where he underwent angiography.

Thackeray underwent the procedure in a follow-up to the angioplasty which he had had on July 20, 2012, when doctors put in 8 stents to remove the constrictions for multiple blockages in three main arteries in his heart.

The former Maharashtra CM underwent a second angioplasty in November 2012 to remove the blockages in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), which was blocked by almost 60 per cent.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Elections 2024: State To Go For Polls On November 20; Counting Of Votes On November 23

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Maharashtra Elections 2024: State To Go For Polls On November 20; Counting Of Votes On November 23

Mumbai: The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced the schedule for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the state. The elections will be conducted in a single phase, with the polling date on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

The announcement brings Maharashtra, one of the country’s most politically crucial states, closer to determining its next government. With 288 Assembly seats up for grabs, the elections are expected to be a crucial contest between the ruling Mahayuti coalition and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Tough Fight Between Both Alliances

The ruling Mahayuti, a coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also includes the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar. This alliance currently holds power in the state, with Eknath Shinde serving as Chief Minister and Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Ministers.

On the other side, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is gearing up for a tough contest. The MVA consists of the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The coalition, which previously governed the state until political shifts in 2022, is positioning itself to challenge the ruling Mahayuti on various fronts, including economic and social issues.

Key Battles & Major Concerns

The key battlegrounds for the election will be the state’s urban centres like Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, as well as rural regions where agrarian issues, unemployment and infrastructure development remain major concerns. Both coalitions are expected to focus heavily on these issues during their campaigns, with the Mahayuti likely to emphasize continuity and development and the MVA focusing on governance and policy critiques of the current administration.

The Maharashtra Assembly’s term is set to conclude on November 26. The last Assembly elections in Maharashtra were held in 2019 and the state has since witnessed major political shifts, most notably the splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP along with their alliance with the BJP.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: ‘Mahayuti Alliance Partners Have Reached Consensus On 225-230 Seats,’ Says Senior NCP Leader Praful Patel

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Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: 'Mahayuti Alliance Partners Have Reached Consensus On 225-230 Seats,' Says Senior NCP Leader Praful Patel

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Monday said the ruling Mahayuti alliance partners have reached a consensus on around 230 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly.

“We have reached a consensus on 225-230 seats. Once the other seats are finalised, we will let you (media) know in the next two to four days,” Patel told reporters.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar On Rift Between Mahayuti Alliance

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday sought to clarify the reports of a rift between the Mahayuti alliance – which comprises his NCP, the BJP, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena – and speculation over his leaving the state Cabinet meeting early, saying “all is well.”

Ajit Pawar’s early departure sparked speculation about a potential rift within the Mahayuti alliance, just as Maharashtra prepares for the upcoming assembly elections, likely to be announced in a day. The term of the current assembly ends on November 26.

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