Pune: PMC Accelerates Land Acquisition For Mahatma Phule National Memorial After Deputy CM’s Rebuke; Three-Month Deadline Set For Land Talks

Pune, 12th April 2025: Following sharp criticism from former minister Chhagan Bhujbal over delays in the land acquisition process for the Mahatma Phule National Memorial, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar strongly reprimanded the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration on Friday. In response, PMC Commissioner immediately convened a meeting and issued urgent directives to expedite the project.

A key outcome of the meeting was the appointment of a dedicated Deputy Commissioner to oversee the acquisition process. The officer will be responsible for coordinating discussions with property owners and tenants affected by the project. PMC aims to complete these consultations and prepare a detailed report within the next three months.

The state government has decided to integrate the Mahatma Phule Wada and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial into a single heritage complex. To facilitate this, it has sanctioned ₹200 crore for land acquisition and development. The integration will impact 91 properties spanning 5,310 square meters, affecting 516 property owners and 285 tenants. PMC has already begun outreach efforts to negotiate and take possession of the necessary land.

However, disagreements have emerged regarding the mode of compensation. While some property owners demand cash settlements, others have requested alternative plots in exchange. With some of the affected properties being commercial, PMC is currently studying the most suitable compensation approach for each case.

To ensure priority handling of the project, a Deputy Commissioner-level official will exclusively oversee the expansion of Phule Wada. City Engineer Prashant Waghmare confirmed that a team of officers and staff will work under the official’s leadership.

Waghmare stated, “The Deputy Commissioner will be entirely responsible for the land acquisition and memorial expansion project. Teams will visit each affected household to determine their preferred compensation. Based on their responses, PMC will provide appropriate settlements. The entire acquisition process is expected to be completed within three months.”

The Mahatma Phule National Memorial aims to preserve and honor the revolutionary contributions of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in the fields of education, social reform, and caste eradication. The expanded complex is envisioned as a cultural and historical landmark for future generations.