Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Inspects Fire-Damaged Keshavrao Bhosle Theatre

Kolhapur : The Sangeetsurya Keshavrao Bhosle Theatre in Kolhapur city was severely damaged in a tragic fire incident. During his visit, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar assured that the funds announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be provided without delay.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar personally inspected the Keshavrao Bhosle Theatre today and interacted with the artists present. He acknowledged that while restoring such a historic building might take time, the work will be done with great care. He directed the administration to consider the finer details, such as the use of wood, stonework, and materials like teak, in the theater’s reconstruction.

Accompanying him were Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif, Collector Amol Yedge, Kolhapur Municipal Commissioner Dr. K. Manjulakshmi, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Karthikeyan S., Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit, Ichalkaranji Municipal Commissioner Omkar Divte, and other municipal officials.

Upon arriving in Kolhapur, the Deputy Chief Minister went directly to the theater from the airport. He inspected the main stage, which had been completely destroyed by the fire, and suggested increasing the height of the theater if possible during the reconstruction. He emphasized the deep connection between the artists, audience, and the theater, noting that this restoration is a significant project, and the timeline will be determined by the architects. Pawar also assured that additional funds would be provided if necessary, beyond the amount announced by the Chief Minister, and instructed the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that the theater is rebuilt to its former glory.

He also inspected the outer protective wall and the damaged part of the stage at the Khasbag Maidan. He advised installing the outdoor unit in a safe location when setting up the AC and using the best quality roof sheets for the Khasbag Maidan and Theatre. He suggested that the outer protective walls be reconstructed in a historically accurate manner, using old evidence or photographs as a guide. The municipal administration was instructed to select an architect experienced in historical building restoration and to prepare a plan that would ensure the restored structures maintain their original appearance.