PUNE: The renovated main building at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) is now open for people. The inauguration of the same was done during a heritage walk on Saturday, which also marked the 69th foundation day of the university. MP Anil Shirole and Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor of SPPU, were present during the heritage walk.

On Saturday, around 2,000 people went around the main building exploring the heritage of culture, architecture and flora in the campus of SPPU. Soon, authorities at SPPU are planning to start the heritage walk for everyone at least once a month.

Officials of SPPU said that after seeing the response from everyone, they will decide if the building and the tunnel should be open for the public more often. During the heritage walk, Radhika Seshan, Head of Department, History, explained to the dignitaries various aspects of the building and the tunnel that is a part of the building.

“The architecture is colonial. The big hall can seat 50 people at a time. Different halls serve a different purpose. The big hall was for gathering and another hall with a fireplace was for smoking. The British loved the fireplace. Earlier, there was a chandelier with a 1,000 candles,” said Seshan.

She further said that the bell tower is specific to the architecture. “It is also interesting to see that the arch and other characteristics of the building are very rare to find now. We don’t have craftsmen who work on such type of architecture. Even when the building was made, the craftsmen were Indian and we can see at places that though overall it’s Victorian architecture, the Indian craftsmen have left their mark,” said Seshan.