The storm changed the picture of Mahakal Lok of Ujjain. The idols of the Mahakal corridor built after spending billions were blown away by the wind. The idols could not withstand the wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour!
On May 28, there was such a storm in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, that toppled six idols of the seven sages made in the '
Shri Mahakal Lok' corridor (Ujjain Mahakal). Three idols even fell and broke. However, the major reason for this loss was not the storm, but the poor construction of these idols. Now in some media reports quoting experts, questions have been raised on the quality of these idols.
The truth 'inside' of the idols
According to the report, the broken idols were hollow from inside.
It was said that the base of the idols was very weak. A lot of space was left under them so that air and water could easily go inside the idol. The idols, 10 to 25 feet tall, were made of Fiber Reinforce Plastic (FRP). To give strength to such an idol, bars have to be placed inside, but the idols were hollow.
According to some other media reports, information has also come to the fore that the structure of the idols was not such that they could withstand wind speed of 30 to 50 kilometers per hour. According to the Meteorological Department of Bhopal, on May 28, wind was blowing at a speed of 45 kilometers per hour in Ujjain. The idols could not bear the pressure of the wind.
The Lokayukta organization of Madhya Pradesh has started action in this matter. Following the complaint of corruption, the Lokayukta Sangathan has sent notices to the then Collector of Ujjain and Chairman of Smart City Limited Ashish Singh, the then Director of Smart City Kshitij Singhal and the then Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anshul Gupta.
Answers have been sought from all these within 15 days.