Rat Scare Forces PMC to Act: Deep Cleaning Drive at Pune’s Civic Theatres

Rat scare at Pune’s Chavan Theatre forces PMC to conduct deep cleaning. Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe flagged poor theatre conditions to CM Fadnavis, seeking urgent action on cleanliness, safety, and maintenance.

Anshu Kashid

Pune | June 9, 2025: A shocking incident at Pune Municipal Corporation’s Yashwantrao Chavan Theatre has finally forced the civic administration to confront a long-ignored problem. When a rat crawled into a theatre actress’s clothes during a live performance, it sparked outrage among the audience and artists alike. The civic body, often accused of dragging its feet on maintenance issues, had no choice but to launch an immediate deep cleaning drive—not just at Chavan Theatre but also at Balgandharva Theatre.

For years, theatre-goers and performers have battled unsanitary conditions in PMC-run theatres. Problems have ranged from malfunctioning air-conditioning, stolen sound systems, and broken chairs, to leaky roofs and unrepaired water damage. The latest embarrassment—a rat running loose in the audience—highlighted the consequences of this neglect.

A deeper issue lies in the lack of coordination among PMC’s cultural, building design, and electrical departments. This systemic inefficiency has allowed rats, cockroaches, bedbugs, and other pests to thrive inside public theatres. Despite numerous citizen complaints, theatre management often dismissed such problems as “minor.”

During the recent incident, many audience members spotted rats scurrying about before the play even began at Chavan Theatre. They hoped the rats would vanish when the lights dimmed. Instead, the horror unfolded mid-performance when a rat reportedly entered a woman’s clothing—prompting shock and severe criticism of the municipal authorities.

In response, senior PMC officials finally intervened. They ordered comprehensive pest control and cleaning of auditoriums, stages, artistes’ rooms, toilets, and surrounding areas at both Yashwantrao Chavan and Balgandharva Theatres to prevent further incidents.

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Neelam Gorhe Flags Theatres Issue Directly to CM Fadnavis

The issue has now reached the highest levels of government. On Sunday, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune, drawing his attention to the appalling state of the city’s public theatres.

In her formal representation, Dr. Gorhe highlighted multiple concerns:

Lack of cleanliness and rat menace in theatres
Damaged seating arrangements and discomfort for audiences
Leaky roofs causing water damage on stage
Electrical safety risks due to damp and neglect
The urgent need for systemic improvements across PMC-managed cultural venues

She specifically referenced the recent incident where a rat ran across a woman’s leg during a performance—an unacceptable event that captured public attention.

Dr. Gorhe urged CM Fadnavis to direct PMC and relevant departments to take swift corrective action. Responding to her concerns, Fadnavis assured her that a proper decision would be taken soon to address these longstanding issues.