Pune's Shivaji Market waits to be restored to old glory

Though for most visitors, a walk through the Shivaji Market in Pune Cantonment area, brings back old memories; the experience is no more the same. The crumbling walls and broken path reek of neglect that has engulfed the gothic structure.

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) had proposed a renovation project worth Rs70 lakh for the Grade I heritage structure that was built in 1885. The proposal was to be included in the budget for 2011-12. However, financial crunch has derailed the plan.

PCB executive officer Rachel Koshy told DNA, “We are aware that renovating the Shivaji Market is the need of the hour. However, owing to curtailment in budget, the repair works could not be carried out this year. But we will definitely carry out the renovation work next year.”

The last renovation work undertaken on the market premises was in the beef market in December 2009. The project had cost Rs15 lakh.

This derailment of plans has irked the patrons and visitors of the gothic structure, as they have to continue to the walk through the old walls and broken paths.

Wasim Akhtar, who owns a fish shop at the market, said that he had witnessed the gradual deterioration over a period of time.
“The walls and the pillars have worn out. Though the PCB has carried out various maintenance programmes, the 127-year-old market is in need of a major facelift,” said Akhtar, whose family has been in the fish business at the market since inception.

Shyamlal Rastogi, a vegetable vendor at the market for more than three decades, echoed the same sentiment.

“For our family, this place has been the source of earning for ages now. It pains us to see it in a state of neglect. However, the recent maintenance drive by the PCB has restored some parts of the structure,” he said.

With the renovation work being postponed, the PCB is meticulously trying to carry out weekly maintenance drives for the conservation of the heritage structure.

When DNA visited the market, it found that the entrance to the fish market, which was broken for over a year, was repaired. The broken tiles on the floor had also been replaced.

“The flooring work in the fish market area was undertaken a week ago, and the work has been carried out well. The vendors also need to take care of the situation and not drag heavy items breaking the flooring,” PCB executive engineer KV Shirodkar told DNA.

Apart from minor repair works, the PCB has been carrying out sanitation and cleanliness drives on a regular basis to maintain cleanliness at the place.

“Every 15 days, we conduct a washing drive, and try to keep the place clean. Besides, every day the floors are swept nearly six times,” said chief health superintendent VS Kulkarni.

Few felt that though these maintenance drives have improved the situation, a lot of work is still to be done. “Though the recent flooring work has improved the situation, it is high time that the authorities take up the renovation work of the gothic structure before it deteriorates any further,” said Denzil D’costa, an old customer at the market.