Pune Civic Body Demolishes Dilapidated Bhide Wada in Mid-night Action to Make Way For National Memorial

GG News Bureau
Pune, 5th Dec. In the early hours of Tuesday, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out the demolition of the dilapidated Bhide Wada, a historic structure where Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls in 1848. This action comes a month after court orders were issued.

The PMC intends to construct a national memorial in honor of the social reformer couple at the same location, according to officials. However, local residents and traders had refused to vacate the premises and took the matter to court.

The Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court have recently given clearance for the PMC to proceed with the construction of the national memorial. They have also ordered the shop owners and tenants of the deteriorating structure to evacuate the premises.

An official from the PMC stated, “The structure has been demolished, and we will now move forward with the national memorial project at the site.”

A significant police force was deployed during the demolition process. The demolition was completed sometime after midnight.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1), Sandip Singh Gill, explained that since the PMC did not gain possession of the property despite issuing notices to the tenants and shop owners, they requested police assistance during the operation.

Bhide Wada is situated in the Budhwar Peth area of Pune.