Odisha government decides not to shift warrior horse statue

BHUBANESWAR: Following strong resentment and opposition from various sections over the plan to shift the iconic Konark warrior horse statue from Master Canteen Square, the Odisha government has now changed its decision. “The statue made by noted sculptor, late Raghunath Mohapatra, will not be shifted from its original place. Rather, the statue will be repaired and the podium will be revamped,” an official said.
Informing about the change in decision, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Sanjay Singh said, “The decision not to shift the warrior horse statue has been taken at the government level. The statue will remain in its place and there will be a slight realignment in the design of the road.”
The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) had sought permission from the culture department to shift the statue from Master Canteen Square to Raj Bhawan Square to make way for development projects in the smart city. The state government said that due to various developmental projects coming up around the same place, the iconic horse statue is likely to lose visibility so it would be shifted in front of Raj Bhawan Square.
However, the decision to shift the statue was vehemently opposed by the BJP and the Congress and by eminent sculptors and researchers and residents.
Welcoming the state government decision not to shift the statue, Congress MLA Suresh Routray said, “We are happy that the government understood the sentiments of the residents of Bhubaneswar and decided not to shift the iconic horse statue from Master Canteen Square. Over the years the statue has become the identity of the capital city and is a mute spectator to several major events.”
The 18ftx15ft statue made in Khandolite stone was installed in 1988 by the then chief minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik. However, due to lack of proper maintenance and exposure to sun and rain, the statue has become brittle.
Bhubaneswar: Following strong resentment and opposition from various sections over the plan to shift the iconic Konark warrior horse statue from Master Canteen Square, the Odisha government has now changed its decision. “The statue made by noted sculptor, late Raghunath Mohapatra, will not be shifted from its original place. Rather, the statue will be repaired and the podium will be revamped,” an official said.
Informing about the change in decision, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Sanjay Singh said, “The decision not to shift the warrior horse statue has been taken at the government level. The statue will remain in its place and there will be a slight realignment in the design of the road.”
The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) had sought permission from the culture department to shift the statue from Master Canteen Square to Raj Bhawan Square to make way for development projects in the smart city. The state government said that due to various developmental projects coming up around the same place, the iconic horse statue is likely to lose visibility so it would be shifted in front of Raj Bhawan Square.
However, the decision to shift the statue was vehemently opposed by the BJP and the Congress and by eminent sculptors and researchers and residents.
Welcoming the state government decision not to shift the statue, Congress MLA Suresh Routray said, “We are happy that the government understood the sentiments of the residents of Bhubaneswar and decided not to shift the iconic horse statue from Master Canteen Square. Over the years the statue has become the identity of the capital city and is a mute spectator to several major events.”
The 18ftx15ft statue made in Khandolite stone was installed in 1988 by the then chief minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik. However, due to lack of proper maintenance and exposure to sun and rain, the statue has become brittle.
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