Pune Municipal Corporation has started construction on the Bhide Wada Memorial, a tribute to the site where social reformers Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule opened India’s first school for girls in 1848.

Currently, sheet piling is underway, a precautionary measure to safeguard surrounding buildings. Next week, excavation work will commence, followed by the main structure’s construction, which is expected to progress rapidly over the next eight months.

For many years, advocates pushed for Bhide Wada’s conversion into a memorial honoring the Phules’ groundbreaking work in education and social reform. Their demands were met after sustained efforts, culminating in a proposal passed by the Municipal Corporation.

However, legal challenges posed by the property owner and tenants delayed the project for 13 years. The court finally ruled in favor of the Corporation, granting it control over the property and clearing the way for construction to begin.

To expedite the project, the Municipal Corporation approved a detailed project plan and a ₹7 crore budget for the memorial. The Corporation’s Special Projects Department initiated work last month, prioritizing site stability and structural precautions.

With excavation set to start next week, officials anticipate that the work will gain significant momentum within eight months.

The memorial will be a three-story building, designed to celebrate the lives and work of Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule. It will include an exhibit dedicated to Savitribai Phule’s contributions, training rooms, and a section for audio-visual presentations.

"Ensuring the project's steady progress is our priority, and we expect it to advance well in the next seven to eight months," said Yuvraj Deshmukh, Head of the Special Projects Department.

Reflecting on the project’s importance, Kiran Dabhade, a student, remarked, "Bhide Wada holds historical significance as the site where the Phules pioneered education for women. Completing the memorial will help future generations understand and appreciate their contributions."