Pune: Activists Raise Objection Over PMC’s Rs 84.74 Lakh Plan For Temporary Hirkani, Medical Rooms
Pune, 16th September 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has floated four separate tenders worth a total of Rs 84.74 lakh to set up temporary Hirkani rooms, observation rooms, medical rooms and police rooms during the Ganesh immersion procession.
However, with the immersion procession scheduled for September 25, the tenders are set to be opened only four days before the event, on September 21. The tender documents also mention a two-month work period, raising questions over the timing and purpose of the process.
The main immersion procession passes through Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Kelkar Road and Tilak Road. Several PMC-owned buildings, dispensaries and ward offices are located along these routes and could potentially be used for the required facilities.
The Vishrambaug Wada ward office at Shaniwar Chowk, Kalawati Mawale dispensary in Narayan Peth and the ward office at Hirabaug Chowk could be used as medical and Hirkani rooms. Schools and institutions such as Huzurpaga, N.M.V. School, Training College, S.P. College, New English School and Gokhale Hall could also provide classrooms or halls if the civic body coordinates with them.
Activists have questioned the need to spend lakhs on temporary structures when existing civic and institutional facilities could be utilised.
Vivek Velankar, president of Sajag Nagrik Manch, has submitted a written objection to the PMC commissioner regarding the tenders.
The tenders have been floated for setting up the facilities at various locations in wards 25 A, B, C and D under the civic body’s circle number five. Each tender is valued at Rs 21.18 lakh. The tender sale and submission period is from September 12 to 19, with bids scheduled to be opened on September 21.
