Pune civic body plans shifting of Sambhaji Maharaj’s statue to centre of Garware subway
The earlier PMC plan was to beautify only the 1986 subway and construct a canopy for the Sambhaji Maharaj statue at the existing location, spending around Rs 50 lakh.
A proposal tabled by PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that “there was demand from local elected representatives and city MP Murlidhar Mohol to shift the statue in the centre at a height more than that exists now.” (Credit: Wikimedia Commons, image enhanced with AI)
To reduce traffic congestion and in response to the demand of Pune MP and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, the Pune civic body has planned to shift the statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji from the side to the middle of the Garware pedestrian subway that connects Fergusson College Road and Jangli Maharaj Road.
Rohidas Gavhane, In-Charge, Bhavan Rachna Department, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), told The Indian Express on Thursday, “The beautification of the Garware subway, open to the sky in the centre, is being planned with no major changes in the subway path. However, the statue of Maratha king Sambhaji, which is now in the corner of the subway facing Lakdi Pul, will be shifted to the centre of the subway.”
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Gavhane informed that the earlier plan was to beautify only the 1986 subway and construct a canopy for the statue at the existing location, spending around Rs 50 lakh.
A proposal tabled by PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that “there was demand from local elected representatives and city MP Murlidhar Mohol to shift the statue in the centre at a height more than that exists now.”
“The proposal has been approved by the civic standing committee and general body for seeking permission from the district committee for installing statues. The financial arrangement for the proposed work is still on, and only after the process is completed, will the work be undertaken, following the end of the election code of conduct,” another PMC officer said.
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As per Gavhane, a high podium will be constructed, and the statue will be installed atop it.
He also said the statue is frequently garlanded, and that congregations on such occasions cause traffic bottlenecks. “The shifting of the statue at the centre will prevent gatherings from spilling onto the road,” he said.
A proposal tabled by PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that “there was demand from local elected representatives and city MP Murlidhar Mohol to shift the statue in the centre at a height more than that exists now.” (Credit: Wikimedia Commons, image enhanced with AI) 
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