-
Inexcusable negligence of Municipal Corporation administration and lack of national consciousness among citizens
-
Electric lamps smashed, statues damaged, and widespread vandalism by anti-social elements in the precinct
Pune, Maharashtra – On 6 September 2019, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) renovated the historic ‘Zero Stone,’ located near the General Post Office (GPO) in Pune. A significant amount of public money was spent to upgrade the area surrounding a rare, ancient banyan tree. The renovation featured raised figures crafted on granite slabs and newly installed fiber statues.
Today, however, the condition of this historic landmark has become deeply deplorable. Anti-social elements have vandalized the precinct, smashing the electric lamps and severely damaging the statues. Despite the tragic state of this colonial-era heritage site, which has long been a key part of Pune’s identity, the civic administration remains completely indifferent.
From initial neglect to brief revival
Initially, the landmark suffered from total neglect. Due to the civic body’s oversight, more than half of the stone was buried under a footpath during road work. Recognizing its historical value, alert citizens brought the issue to the attention of the PMC Heritage Committee. This civic intervention led to its restoration in September 2019.
The rectangular structure is inscribed with the names of various destinations. The lighting system installed during the renovation initially turned the site into an attractive evening landmark. The information boards display highly significant historical data, including excerpts from author John Keay’s acclaimed book The Great Arc, which explains the history of the survey system. Former Editor of the Hindustan Times, Abhay Vaidya, played a pivotal role in spearheading the movement to revive this heritage site.
What is the ‘Zero Stone’?
Most major cities feature a baseline reference point from which geographical distances to other cities and key landmarks are measured. These points are also critical for surveying and map creation.
Pune’s ‘Zero Stone’ (also known as ‘Zero Mile Stone’) features inscribed distances to historical and regional locations, including Sinhagad, Paud, Purandar, Solapur, Alandi, Nashik, and Bengaluru. The stone was originally established in 1872 by the British during the construction of the General Post Office, following the historic Great Trigonometrical Survey of India.
Desecration and vandalism
Today, this vital piece of heritage stands completely abandoned. Nearly all the fiber statues installed in the open-air street museum have been defaced or broken, and the electric lamps intended to read the informational plaques at night have been smashed. Religious event posters have been pasted directly onto the statues, and using the monument as a bird-feeding spot has left the entire precinct filthy.
When the heritage site first began to sustain damage, the Municipal Corporation should have taken proactive security measures, such as installing CCTV cameras or appointing dedicated security guards. No such actions were taken. Compounding the administrative failure is the behavior of certain citizens, who have chosen to vandalize rather than preserve the pride of their own city.
“Unfortunate that such historic heritage is not being preserved” – Abhay Vaidya, Former Editor, Hindustan Times
The current plight of the ‘Zero Mile Stone’, one of Pune’s historic heritages, and its surrounding area is extremely saddening. It is unfortunate that this monument, which is important from the nation’s perspective, is not being maintained by the administration. Today’s younger generation should also be aware of preserving such heritage. The Municipal Corporation should repair it swiftly and present this beautiful heritage to the public again in its glorious form.
“Preservation and conservation of this heritage highly essential” – Dr Pandurang Balkawade, History Researcher
The history of the ‘Zero Stone’ is more than 150 years old. This stone is not just a monument, but the focal point and identity of Pune city. Therefore, its preservation is the duty of every citizen. This is Pune’s symbol of pride and it must be respected. The Postal Department and the Municipal Corporation must take immediate initiative for the preservation and conservation of this historic heritage.
Source: Sanatan Prabhat
