Moving in that direction, the standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Friday approved the take over of the wada for developing it as a heritage structure. It also sanctioned Rs three crore for the purpose.

Savitribai Phule, wife of social reformer Mahatma Jotiba Phule, had started the first school for girls at Bhidewada in Budhwar Peth on January 1, 1848. The school, named after the owner of the property, Tatyarao Bhide, is in a pathetic state. There has been a constant demand to declare it a heritage structure. PMC had even forwarded a request to the heritage department of the State Government. However, the state government had rejected the proposal. On Thursday, voluntary organiations had taken out a rally demanding a status of a heritage structure to this historical monument.

Against this background, the PMC standing committee on Friday decided to develop the wada as a heritage structure.

A proposal for developing a Shiv Srushti , a museum-cum-informative centre dedicated to the life of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji was also approved. The committee allocated Rs five crore for the purpose.

Corporators Dipak Mankar, Vasant More and Arun Dhimdhime had placed the proposal before the civic administration. The standing committee okayed it. The Shiv Srushti is proposed at survey no 79 in Kothrud. It will have, among other things, sculptures, historical references and other material. It will be also be equipped with slide shows on Shivaji's life. A special committee has also been appointed for this purpose.