Rourkela: A giant statue dedicated to hockey players collapsed on ground in devastating thunderstorm in Rourkela.

The 40-ft tall symbolic statue of hockey was installed adjacent to Rourkela airport and world's largest Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in January first week this year ahead of FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela.

Sources said that the huge monument fell to ground and its a few portions has been broken due to strong wind.

According to reports, Rourkela Smart City had spent Rs 30.68 lakh on construction of the statue, which was built by a Bhubaneswar-based firm just in three months. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had unveiled the monument ahead of the Hockey World Cup.