Following a collision with a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus, a 50-year-old statue of General K.S. Thimayya in Madikeri fell early morning on August 21, 2023. The statue, which had been erected in Madikeri town in the Kodagu district, signifies the contribution of General K.S. Thimayya, who served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961. The accident occurred when the KSRTC driver crashed into the statue while trying to avoid a collision with a pickup jeep. As a result, the statue toppled over.
Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna expressed regret over the incident and requested the District Commissioner to conduct a thorough investigation. Initial findings suggest that the bus accident caused the damage, but a detailed inquiry will be conducted. The statue will be restored to its original position with full honours. In the meantime, the district administration has relocated the statue to the General Thimayya Memorial in Madikeri, also known as Sunny Side, which was the residence of General K.S. Thimayya.
