Pune: Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat Backs Restoration Plan For City’s Shaniwar Wada, Launches Multilingual Audio Guide
Pune: Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat Backs Restoration Plan For City's Shaniwar Wada, Launches Multilingual Audio Guide
Pune | June 6, 2025 — Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during his visit to Pune on Thursday, extended support for the restoration and conservation of the iconic Shaniwar Wada fort. The 18th-century Maratha-era structure remains one of the city’s most visited heritage sites.
Shekhawat toured the historic fort and inaugurated a multilingual audio guide aimed at enriching the visitor experience. The initiative was organised with the support of Pune MP Medha Kulkarni, who had invited the minister to review the condition of the monument and the need for its conservation.
“Shaniwar Wada is a symbol of our cultural heritage and reflects the grandeur of the Maratha Empire post-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” said Shekhawat. He confirmed that a proposal for restoration has already been submitted by Kulkarni in coordination with local authorities, and the government is looking at it positively.
The minister also addressed the challenges involved in developing protected heritage sites. “There are strict regulations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for protected monuments. While we must adhere to these rules, we will explore ways to balance heritage conservation with improved tourist infrastructure,” he said.
MP Medha Kulkarni stressed the importance of preserving and promoting Pune’s historical legacy. “We want to educate tourists about the contributions of Peshwa Bajirao and other key figures. A proposal has been made to construct a replica of the original Shaniwar Wada and develop an art gallery featuring visuals of Ganpati Mahal and other lost architectural elements,” she said.
Kulkarni added that the minister has assured her of following up with the ASI to expedite approvals and push the project forward.
Shaniwar Wada, once the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire, continues to draw thousands of visitors, and the proposed restoration is expected to boost heritage tourism while preserving its historical essence.
