Politics Heats Up Over Cost of Sambhaji Maharaj Statue

• Corporators Question: If the PCMC Is Paying, Who Is Taking the Credit?
• Demand Raised for Probe Into Alleged Financial Irregularities

Pimpri : Political tensions flared in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) general body meeting after the cost of the statue project of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at Moshi reportedly increased from Rs. 45 crore to nearly Rs. 65.81 crore. The issue intensified after two fresh tenders worth around Rs. 50 crore for electrical illumination and civil works around the statue site came to light.

The matter gained attention after the expenditure details were published by “The Leader News” on Friday (March 13). Opposition corporators raised the issue in the PCMC general body meeting, demanding a detailed inquiry and confronting the ruling side over the rising project cost.

Two tenders related to the project were recently placed before the standing committee for approval. One tender worth Rs. 32.34 crore for electrical and civil works in the statue precinct was submitted by M/s Dhaneshwar Construction at a zero-percent rate. Another tender worth ₹18.66 crore for decorative lighting, AR-VR installations and related electrical work in the area was submitted by M/s Moving Pixels at seven percent below the estimated cost.

However, after objections from opposition members, Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Barne decided to defer both proposals. During the general body meeting held later on Friday, corporators from opposition parties including the Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena strongly criticised the ruling side and demanded transparency in the project expenditure.

Shiv Sena corporator Sulabha Ubale questioned whether the funds spent so far on the statue project were entirely from PCMC or if any external funding sources were involved. She asked the administration to clarify the total expenditure and disclose whether any outside agency had contributed financially.

“Some people are trying to claim credit for the statue project by beating the drum publicly. But the real question is whose money is being spent on this project,” she said. Ubale further stated that the work was being carried out using taxpayers’ money and demanded a thorough inquiry into the role of contractor M/s Dhaneshwar Builders. She warned that she would not remain silent until a detailed investigation is conducted.

Leader of Opposition Bhausaheb Bhoir said the civic body is already facing a shortage of funds for development works. He urged MPs, MLAs and the guardian minister from the ruling alliance to jointly bring more funds from the state government for the city’s development.

He added that public representatives have worked for the city’s development over the past five years and should now collectively ensure that additional financial support is secured for civic projects.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the civic house remained tense as opposition corporators reiterated their demand for a detailed disclosure of the total expenditure incurred on the Sambhaji Maharaj statue project so far. They also called for a comprehensive investigation into the tender process and the rising cost of the project.