Pune: Following the completion of the flyover work at Chandani Chowk, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has greenlit the construction of the "Hindavi Swarajya Nirmiti Shilpa," featuring a 20-foot tall bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The Standing Committee has sanctioned a budget of ₹6.56 crore for this ambitious project. The project will utilize a 5,542 square meter open space situated between the road from Chandani Chowk to Warje and the service road of the national highway from Satara to Mumbai.
Renowned architect Satish Kamble has been appointed to design the monument, and his proposed plan has received official approval. The centerpiece of the memorial will be a stone-clad entrance gate, accompanied by fountains designed to resemble lotus petals.
A 17-foot high pedestal will support the 20-foot tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, making it a prominent landmark visible from Mumbai, Satara, and Kothrud.
Surrounding the memorial, there will be a pedestrian pathway constructed with yellow and red stones. The site will feature a main entrance gate and an additional smaller entrance on the opposite side.
Although ₹5 crore was allocated in the municipal budget for this project, the lowest tender received was ₹6.56 crore, which has been approved by the Standing Committee in their latest meeting.
PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale announced the approval, highlighting the project's significance and the careful planning involved. This monument aims to celebrate the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and provide a notable historical landmark for the city of Pune. The meeting was attended by City Engineer Prashant Waghmare and Superintendent Engineer of the Building Department Yuvraj Deshmukh.
Meanwhile, urgent junction improvements are needed at the NDA and Chandani Chowk intersections, as the multiple steep ramps and service roads, have become increasingly confusing and dangerous for drivers navigating the highway. The recent Mahacargo ST bus accident on Thursday (June 13) underscored the urgent need for traffic engineering-based improvements at these junctions.