Pune: In a bid to ensure the safety and longevity of historical statues, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to conduct ultrasonic testing on 25 statues in the city that are over 40 years old.
This decision comes in the wake of the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district a few months ago.
The PMC recently completed a structural audit of all 80 statues in Pune, confirming their overall safety.
However, the audit also highlighted that 25 statues, being over four decades old, require a more advanced assessment to ensure their internal structural soundness. Minor damages observed in some statues will also be repaired as part of the maintenance efforts.
The testing, known as "Ultrasonic Tomography," involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to examine the materials used in the construction of the statues.
Shyam Dhavale, former head of the PMC Heritage Department, explained that this method provides detailed insights into the integrity of steel, welding quality, rust levels, and the material's overall durability.
According to PMC officials, these measures are part of a broader initiative to preserve the city's cultural and historical assets. The tests will determine whether the internal structures of the statues remain robust despite their age, ensuring they pose no safety risks to the public.
