Maharashtra DyCM Ajit Pawar Orders Immediate Relocation Of Willing Families Near Phule Memorial To Kickstart Expansion Work

In order to initiate the conservation and expansion work of Mahatma Phule Wada and the Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial in Pune, it is essential to relocate the residents living around the memorial premises. Deputy Chief Minister and Pune’s Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has directed that the process of relocating those residents who are willing to shift to alternative accommodations should begin at once.

High-Level Meeting Reviews Project Status

Pawar reviewed the progress of the conservation and expansion project of Mahatma Phule Wada and the Savitribai Phule Memorial during a meeting held at Mantralaya. Present at the meeting were Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, former MP Sameer Bhujbal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department Dr. Rajagopal Deora, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Saurabh Vijay, and Secretary to the Deputy CM Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh. Joining via video conferencing were Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi, and Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.

₹200 Crore Sanctioned, But Work Yet to Begin

The state government has already sanctioned ₹200 crore for land acquisition for the memorial’s expansion. However, the acquisition process has yet to begin. Approximately 1,000 residents need to be relocated from the area surrounding the memorial. Of these, 200 residents have expressed readiness to move to the designated alternate location.

Immediate Relocation of Willing Families Ordered

Pawar directed authorities to immediately begin relocating these willing families and to plan phased relocation for the remaining residents. He also instructed officials to begin the land acquisition process within the next 15 days.

Bhujbal Calls for Phased Relocation

Minister Chhagan Bhujbal emphasised that the expansion work should have already commenced, but is being delayed due to pending relocation. He recommended that instead of waiting to relocate all residents at once, those who are ready should be shifted first and their spaces vacated, followed by the rest in phases.

Pune Civic Body Updates on Progress

Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram briefed the meeting on the current status of the ongoing works, assuring officials that preparations are in place to proceed once relocation and acquisition hurdles are cleared.