Sambhaji statue ready: PMC seeks corporators’ nod to finish paperwork, install it in civic park

The proposal to make a statue, on the basis of a picture in Budhbhusan, a book written by Sambhaji himself, was presented by Member of Legislative Council Anil Bhosale years ago. The plan was approved by the district administration in August 2014 and the City Improvement Committee of PMC approved the proposal in June 2015.

The statue will be installed at Sambhaji Park in Shivajinagar.

To avoid any controversy over the installation of a statue of Sambhaji, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which has already been built as per its work order, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration has sought the permission of its elected representatives to submit a proposal with the District Statue Committee, which will give the final approval for the installation. The civic body plans to install the statue at Sambhaji Park in Shivajingar.

The proposal to make a statue, on the basis of a picture in Budhbhusan, a book written by Sambhaji himself, was presented by Member of Legislative Council Anil Bhosale years ago. The plan was approved by the district administration in August 2014 and the City Improvement Committee of PMC approved the proposal in June 2015.

After the tender process was over, a work order was issued in December 2017. The project even received the go ahead from the Art Directorate of the state government in June that year. However, a month before the Directorate’s nod, the state government decided that any new statue needs be approved by the statue committee, headed by the collector of the respective district.

Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said as per the state government’s directions, the PMC needs to submit its application for installation of the statue to the District Statue Committee, along with the resolution passed by the civic body. The civic body has made a budgetary provision of Rs 30 lakh in 2018-19 for the installation of the statue.

When the PMC had sought permission from the District Statue Committee, the district administration had asked the civic body to seek the permission of the PMC’s General Body first.

“It is requested that the City Improvement Committee and General Body of the PMC pass a resolution for the installation of the bronze statue of Sambhaji at Sambhaji Park, so that it can be submitted with the application to the statue committee…,” said Rao. The proposal was approved by the City Improvement Committee on Friday and it will now be tabled in the General body meeting.

Garden Superintendent Ashok Ghorpade said the PMC had completed the tender process in 2017 and the statue has already been built. “Final touches are being given to the statue and the PMC is only waiting to complete the administrative process for the installation of the statue,” he said.

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Pune has seen its share of controversies over statues. In January 2017, a statue of noted Marathi playwright and humourist late Ram Ganesh Gadkari, installed at the Sambhaji Park, was vandalised by youths belonging to a pro-Maratha group.The youths threw the bust in Mutha river after vandalising the statue, alleging that Chhatrapati Shivaji’s son was projected in a poor light in one of Gadkari’s plays.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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