Pune, 25 July 2025: The Maharashtra government is moving ahead with plans to develop a unified ‘Ekatma Smarak’, an integrated memorial combining the Mahatma Phule Wada and Savitribai Phule Memorial. The state has sanctioned ₹200 crore for this ambitious project, out of which ₹100 crore has already been handed over to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
During his recent visit to the Bhide Wada and Phule Wada area, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal reviewed the progress of the memorial work. He directed municipal authorities to expedite the land acquisition process, terming it a priority task that must be completed at the earliest.
PMC officials, including Additional Commissioner M. J. Pradeep Chandra, Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sankpal, Assistant Commissioner Kisan Dagadkhair, Land Acquisition Deputy Commissioner Vasundhara Barve, and Superintendent Engineers Rohidas Gawhane and Rajesh Bankar, were present during the inspection.
Bhujbal noted that the reserved plots surrounding the proposed memorial site have already been surveyed by the municipal corporation. He emphasized that the suggestions submitted by the All India Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad regarding the project should also be taken into account while finalizing the plans.
The government’s ₹200 crore allocation reflects its commitment to commemorating the legacy of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. With half of the funds already disbursed, Bhujbal urged PMC to prioritize and speed up land acquisition to avoid further delays.
