PMC to spend Rs 2 cr to beautify Peshwa mansion

PUNE, JANUARY 10: Shanwarwada, the 18th century mansion of the Peshwa dynasty, which once constituted the hub of central politics is nothi...

PUNE, JANUARY 10: Shanwarwada, the 18th century mansion of the Peshwa dynasty, which once constituted the hub of central politics is nothing more than a heap of ruins today. Now at the beginning of the 21st century, the State government plans to restore some of its former glory with a Rs 2 crore project, which will catapult the ruins into the major tourist attraction group in the country.

On Sundcay, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh inaugurated a light-and-sound show at the Shanwarwada, which is expected to be completed in around two months after which it will be opened to the public.

The project has been undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation along with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and a few other private industrial houses here to commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of the civic body. The Pune Municipal Corporation will be completing fifty years of existence on February 15 this year.

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The foundation for Shanwarwada was laid by the first Bajirao Peshwa on January five, 1730. The Peshwa came to occupy Shanwarwada two years later. However, by 1817, the Britishers had taken over the stately residence and razed it to the ground in 1828.

What remained thereafter was only the magnificent facade while the interior burnt to ashes. During the 100 years of its vibrant existence, the Shanwarwada had witnessed many a happy and sad moments — the momentous being the murder of 15-year old Narayanrao Peshwa, heir to the Peshwa empire.

In its height of glory, Shanwarwada constituted the hub of central politics and even to this day serves as a major forum for politicians to reach the masses — no political rally is complete if not not held on the Shanwarwada grounds.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has undertaken the beautification of Shanwarwada’s exterior. Although the audio part of the sound-and-light show has been completed, the lighting part is yet to be completed.

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The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal for the inauguration on Sunday evening, announced a donation of Rs 25 lakh for the completion of the project.

Deshmukh also assured that the state government will extend all necessary help to the civic body for the completion of other civic projects. “I will be happy to extend all possible help to the Pune Municipal Corporation, especially during its golden jubilee year,” Deshmukh assured.