A 70-foot statue in Kolkata has been taken down following public safety concerns. The structure had been swaying in strong winds, prompting authorities to identify structural issues after complaints from residents.
The statue will be moved to a new location. It had drawn attention after being unveiled during a visit by the Argentine football player. Dismantling started on Monday using cranes and heavy cables. The statue was lowered intact, though the name plaque remains in place. Officials are assessing sites for reassembly.
A local legislator stated the statue was deemed unsafe. Workers noted its movement in the wind. The installation took 27 days to build.
The Public Works Department inspected the site on May 25 and identified structural deficiencies, including an off-center gravity point. Concerns grew ahead of the monsoon. Residents had filed a complaint about risks in high winds. Engineers from the department checked the site after police notified municipal authorities.
The statue, made with an iron frame and fiberglass, shows the player with the World Cup trophy after Argentina’s win in Qatar.
