A towering statue of football legend Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been dismantled due to safety concerns. The 70ft monument was erected during Messi's 'GOAT' tour of the country in December, with GOAT standing for 'greatest of all time'. However, it was recently spotted "swaying in the wind", leading to its immediate removal.
Following complaints from local residents on Monday, 25 May about the statue's instability, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) conducted an inspection. The results revealed that the structural integrity of this giant monument had been severely compromised.
The PWD swiftly ordered its removal and relocation. Mukherjee, a representative from PWD stated that while removing such a large structure located near a busy road and subway is challenging; they plan to "remove the statue at the earliest opportunity."
West Bengal state legislator, Sharadwat Mukherjee, said:
"The statue of the Argentine football legend was found [to be] unsafe. We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind."
Measures taken for safe dismantling
To ensure public safety during this process, several measures were taken. The fibreglass and iron structure was secured with heavy-duty nylon ropes while barricades were erected around it last week. These precautions kept people and traffic clear of potential harm as work began on dismantling this iconic piece. As per recent updates today confirmed that the statue has indeed been taken down successfully without any reported incidents.
The Press Trust of India news agency reports that following its removal, custody of the statue will be transferred to PWD until further notice. However, there has not yet been an official announcement regarding where or when it will be re-erected.
This incident serves as a reminder about prioritizing safety considerations when erecting public monuments or structures - even those dedicated to beloved sports figures like Lionel Messi. While fans may miss seeing their favorite footballer towering over Kolkata, they can rest assured knowing that the authorities are taking necessary steps to ensure their safety. The hope now is that a new, secure location will soon be found so Messi's statue can continue to inspire and delight sports fans across India.
