Sculptures installed under beautification project to remain under wraps until inauguration: PCMC

A team of artists has been roped in from across the country to make the sculptures using scrap material.

The sculptures were initially meant to be inaugurated in June by then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. (Express photo)

THE PIMPRI-CHINCHWAD Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which has installed sculptures across the city as part of a project to beautify prominent chowks or squares, has decided to keep them all covered up till their formal inauguration, officials said. So far, the civic body has installed sculptures at nine of the 15 chowks selected under the project.

A team of artists has been roped in from across the country to make the sculptures using scrap material. PCMC executive engineer Prerna Sinkar told The Indian Express, “The sculptures will not be of famous personalities, monuments or structures. They will be of horses, lions, cheetahs… We have already installed them and have covered them with a cloth. During his tenure, former municipal commissioner Rajesh Patil had directed that the sculptures should be covered up until they are inaugurated.”

The sculptures were initially meant to be inaugurated in June by then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, but the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state collapsed that month and the new government took over, delaying the inauguration. “We were supposed to inaugurate at least four sculptures initially, but it got delayed due to the change in government. In the meantime, we increased the scope of the project by deciding to beautify the area around the sculpture,” Sinkar said.

Officials said the new municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh will soon decide on the matter.

One of the sculptures has been installed at Nashik Phata Chowk. “People want to have a sneak peek at the sculpture… Some of those who pass by the area are seen approaching the covered figure,” says Prajakata Kale, a resident.

“The entire beautification of the sculpture and its surrounding area will be done by private parties. We have appointed 15 private parties, the majority of whom are builders. They have been asked to beautify the project on a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis. PCMC will not have to pay anything to the builder. They will look after the project for 10 years. In return, the builders will get to advertise themselves, but we will decide the size of the advertisement,” executive engineer Sinkar added.

Pramod Ombase, another civic executive engineer, said, “The scrap material to build the sculptures comes primarily from our anti-encroachment department which carries out confiscation activities. Some of the scrap comes from our projects. Only when the entire project is completed will we decide on the inauguration.”

Story continues below this ad

Civic officials said each sculpture will cost over Rs 2 lakh. “The PCMC will incur expenses only for constructing the sculpture and its foundation, which will be about Rs 2-3 lakh per sculpture. Private parties will beautify the surrounding area and maintain the entire project for 10 years,” an official said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories