Pune: Following the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a proactive initiative to conduct a structural audit of over 50 statues in Pune city.

The Building Design Department of PMC has begun compiling data on statues located in various areas, including Karve Road, Yerawada, Kasba Peth, Central Peth, Kothrud, Mandai, and Shivajinagar. PMC has taken steps to ensure the safety and preservation of statues within the city.

These statues, often funded through state government allocations, donations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, have suffered from neglect and lack of proper maintenance.

Yuvraj Deshmukh, Chief Engineer of the Building Design Department, explained, “The City Secretary’s Office has identified 50 statues for structural audits, focusing on their safety and current condition. We aim to start the audit process immediately and will ensure that appropriate security measures and repairs are implemented where necessary.”

This initiative marks a significant step by the Pune Municipal Corporation to address longstanding issues of statue maintenance in the city. Typically, these statues are only cleaned during anniversaries and commemorations, with little attention paid throughout the rest of the year, leaving many in a state of disrepair.

Given the cultural and emotional significance of these statues, especially to various communities and organizations, the PMC is committed to taking measures to protect these monuments from further neglect.

The audits will provide crucial insights into the structural integrity of statues across the city, and the PMC has pledged to take necessary actions to preserve these important cultural landmarks, ensuring they are not only maintained but also safeguarded against future damage.