Pune's Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Set for Major Expansion: 'Museum City' to Rise in Bavdhan

Mumbai/Pune, 1st July 2025: The expansion of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is gaining momentum, with plans to develop a grand international-standard museum on a six-acre site in Bavdhan Budruk. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at Mantralaya on Monday.

An administrative committee will be established to appoint a renowned architectural firm, and funds will be allocated after the preparation of a detailed project plan. Additionally, it was decided that the name of Raja Dinkar Kelkar will be retained for the newly developed ‘Museum City,’ as informed by Kasba MLA Hemant Rasane.

The Kelkar Museum, which preserves the region’s glorious history, houses more than 20,000 artifacts dating back to the 14th century. However, due to space constraints, only about 11% of the collection is currently on public display. To address this, the state government had previously allocated six acres in Bavdhan Budruk for the project.

The meeting was attended by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MLA Hemant Rasane, Additional Chief Secretary for Cultural Affairs Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary for Planning Rajgopal Deora, Financial Reforms Secretary Shaila A., Finance and Planning Secretary Rajesh Deshmukh, as well as Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulku ndwar and District Collector Jitendra Dudi via video conference.

Speaking after the meeting, Rasane stated, “The Deputy Chief Minister has clearly instructed that the construction of the new museum should be of high quality, attractive, and sustainable. As an MLA from the Kasba constituency, I am committed to preserving the heritage of the Maratha and Peshwa eras, along with Pune’s glorious legacy. We are also following up on rejuvenating other historic structures such as Shaniwarwada. I am confident that the ‘Museum City’ will gain global recognition in the future.”

The expansion project is expected to significantly enhance the cultural and historical significance of the region, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The new ‘Museum City’ will not only provide a larger space for the display of artifacts but also offer modern facilities and interactive exhibits to enrich the visitor experience. This initiative aligns with the state government’s broader vision of promoting cultural tourism and preserving Maharashtra’s rich heritage.