Nation’s first girls school in Bhidewada to become memorial; PMC to speed up land acquisition

The Bombay High Court recently dismissed a 12-year-old petition that challenged the PMC decision to develop a monument and gave it a go-ahead for land acquisition for the project.

The national memorial in Budhwar Peth was delayed due to a legal tussle of over 12 years in acquiring land, and the Bombay High Court recently gave the PMC the go-ahead.

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After a long delay to develop a national memorial at Bhidewada in Budhwar Peth due to a 12-year-legal tussle over acquiring land, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is now rushing with the development of a monument where social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule started the country’s first school for girls. It has proposed a two-storey building comprising seven rooms with a total built up area of 6,212 sq feet.

“PMC does not want to waste any more time in building the memorial. The proposed plan for it includes a two-storey building with seven rooms, where visitors can familiarise themselves with the area’s history and the decision to start a school for girls,” said a civic officer.

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Two weeks ago, the Bombay High Court had dismissed a 12-year-old petition that had challenged PMC’s plan to build a national monument in Bhidewada, and urged the administration to go ahead with land acquisition for the project.

Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar said that the civic administration would not waste any time in acquiring the land and would complete it as soon as possible.

The historically important Budhwar peth, one of Pune’s oldest peths, the wada stands out for being a milestone in the history of modern education in India. This wada at one time housed the first girls school in India, started by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Bai Phule, despite huge opposition from society. The memorial is even more important today, with its location in Budhwar Peth, opposite Dagdusheth Halwai Temple, a socio-cultural landmark, and also for the radical decision to run a girls school in a very orthodox Pune. This particular site has historic significance which should be emphasised by declaring it as a state-protected heritage building.”

The statue of Savitribai Phule will grace the entrance of the premises on the ground floor of the proposed memorial. The ground floor will also have a 633-square feet room that will have statues showing a class of girls studying under Savitribai Phule, a small 124-sqft room at its centre and a 394-sqft Headmaster’s room.

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On the first floor, a 633-sqft room will be designed for multiple activities with a library and display charts, a small 124-sqft room and a 294-sqft area staff room.

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The second floor will have a 1,700 sqft Assembly hall and a class room.

The basement will have a parking facility for 12 four-wheelers as the monument is expected to draw several visitors.

“The memorial was long pending and now it can be built as planned,” the Municipal Commissioner said. PMC has also filed a caveat in Supreme Court in case an appeal is filed against the high court order.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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