PCMC showcases inclusive urban planning to civic officials from UP, Maharashtra

Indian Express

02-07-2025

Senior officials from municipal corporations across Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra visited Pimpri-Chinchwad on Wednesday as part of a technical exchange and study tour focused on sustainable urban mobility and inclusive infrastructure planning.
Organised at the Auto Cluster auditorium in Chinchwad, the session served as a platform for in-depth dialogue and learning around non-motorised transport (NMT) planning, inclusive street design, and environment-friendly urban development.
Addressing the gathering, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh underlined the need to reimagine roads not merely as conduits for vehicles, but as equitable, safe and accessible public spaces for all citizens.
'Urban road planning often focuses narrowly on easing congestion for vehicles, but roads must also serve pedestrians, cyclists, senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities. A truly progressive city is one where streets are safe, inclusive and vibrant for every user,' Singh said.
He emphasised that infrastructure interventions such as footpaths and widened roads are only part of the solution. Initiatives like Harit Setu and Urban Streetscape go beyond beautification—they are steps toward reclaiming public spaces for communities, encouraging walking, cycling, and active public life.
Singh also highlighted the need for cities to explore new financial models for sustainable urban development. He cited PCMC's pioneering move of issuing Maharashtra's first Green Bond to raise Rs 200 crore, which is now being utilised for the Harit Setu project in the Pradhikaran area. 'Cities must see streets not just as engineering projects but as investments into public health, environmental quality, and future urban resilience,' Singh said.
He further pointed out that concepts such as low emission zones are now gradually being implemented, and called on municipal bodies to actively pursue such transformative ideas.
The officials were also taken on a study visit to various sites across the city to observe on-ground implementation of mobility and streetscape projects. These included traffic management systems on the Mumbai–Pune Highway, the PCCOE Patil Road, the pilot segment of Harit Setu, among others. At each location, the delegation received briefings on the planning rationale, technical design, and community impact of the projects.
A comprehensive presentation was also delivered during the session, covering PCMC's Integrated Command and Control Centre, inclusive road planning strategies, non-motorised transport corridors, and the city's efforts to prioritise liveability and sustainability in urban design. The visit concluded with positive feedback from participating officials, who expressed appreciation for PCMC's long-term, people-first approach to urban infrastructure and its willingness to share best practices with peer cities.
The visiting delegation included Gaurav Kumar, Commissioner of Lucknow Municipal Corporation; Sudhir Kumar, Commissioner of Kanpur Municipal Corporation; Jayendra Kumar, Commissioner of Ayodhya Municipal Corporation; Sipu Giri, Commissioner of Saharanpur Municipal Corporation; Arvind Kumar Srivastava, Deputy CEO of the Urban Road Development Department of Uttar Pradesh; and Pradeep Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner of Nashik Municipal Corporation. From PCMC, the session was attended by Chief Engineers Sanjay Kulkarni and Pramod Ombase; Joint City Engineer Bapusaheb Gaikwad; Deputy Commissioner Anna Bodade; Special Duty Officer Kiran Gaikwad; Assistant Commissioner Umesh Dhakane; Executive Engineers Sunil Pawar and Abhiman Bhosale; IT Officer Sudhir Borude; and Public Relations Officer Prafull Puranik.