Pune, 27th June 2026: The Balasaheb Thackeray Children's Theatre in Kothrud has remained incomplete for more than 12 years, highlighting prolonged delays in civic infrastructure projects. Despite repeated assurances, the project continues to remain unfinished.
In a recent development, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee has approved an additional expenditure of ₹68.95 lakh for installing murals inside the theatre. This decision comes even as the main construction work is yet to be completed.
The children's theatre is part of the expansion of Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, initiated around 2015. The project aims to include a 400-seat theatre, a gallery dedicated to Balasaheb Thackeray’s cartoons and speeches, along with facilities such as rehearsal rooms, cafeteria, and parking.
The project has faced continuous delays due to political disagreements between former Shiv Sena and BJP corporators, along with funding constraints. These issues have significantly slowed down the pace of construction.
Theatre artists and cultural enthusiasts have repeatedly urged the civic administration to complete the project at the earliest. However, despite these demands, the project has consistently missed deadlines.
Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale confirmed the approval of mural work but failed to provide details regarding the total expenditure so far or the expected completion date. This lack of transparency has raised concerns.
Concerns have also been raised about the mural project itself, as officials have not disclosed the theme or concept of the artwork. Despite limited information, the proposal was approved without detailed discussion, adding to the controversy surrounding the project.