Renovation of Pune’s iconic Shivaji Market misses deadline, traders say only 40% of work done

In a massive fire in March 2021, nearly 25 shops in the heritage market building located in the heart of Pune Cantonment were gutted. The repair works were started only a year later, taking into account the heritage value of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Market built in 1885.

According to Manzoor Sheikh, the president of the traders’ association, the work is progressing at a snail’s pace and it should have been completed months ago.

“The work was halted for the last 15 days, and when I contacted the contractor, he informed me that they will resume work the day after tomorrow,” said Sheikh. He added that the reason cited for the delay in finishing the work was shortage of workers and unavailability of wood.

The Public Works Department (PWD), officials said, is purchasing wood from outside Pune, which takes time. “However, there is no issue with the availability of workers. Both are being addressed now, and the work is progressing. It is expected to be completed by August 23,” said Anil Kakade, PWD section officer.”

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) had approved a budget of Rs 2.5 crore for the restoration work of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Market. The PCB has contributed 50 per cent of the estimated cost, while MLA Sunil Kamble, through the District Planning and Development Committee, has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh to the PWD.

As the renovation work continues to miss deadlines, vegetable and fruit vendors say that with no roof over their stalls, they are facing issues of water logging and the trouble has mounted since the monsoon intensified.

“Water easily enters the market from roads during monsoon but does not flow out so easily. The drainage system was renovated after we complained, but the situation has not improved,” Arif Sheikh, a vegetable seller, told The Indian Express.