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Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Behind Ajit Pawar's outburst: Pune IT Park's woes, and Mahayuti govt's scramble
A major money spinner for Pune and Maharashtra, the Information Technology hub of Hinjewadi has been grappling with numerous infrastructure problems of late. And, with several IT companies threatening to leave the area for Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the matter has become a pressing concern for the Mahayuti government, inviting criticism from the Opposition. That the government is not taking this matter lightly became apparent when Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar landed up in Hinjewadi early morning on July 26 to conduct an inspection. When a local sarpanch pleaded with him not to widen a road, saying several families would be affected, Pawar chided him. 'If things do not improve, Hinjewadi (IT Park) will move to Bengaluru and Hyderabad,' he said, directing officials to act against anyone attempting to obstruct infrastructure work in the IT hub. 'I will be visiting Hinjewadi to take stock of the progress made every 15 days. Officials should not allow any obstructions from anyone while improving the infrastructure in the IT hub,' said the Deputy CM. Between 5-7 lakh people employed at the IT Park, which was established in 2000, have been facing problems during their commute for the past 10 years, including long traffic snarls, waterlogging, and power outages. Last month, as rain pounded Pune district, key roads in the IT hub went underwater, leaving IT employees stranded for hours. This led Wakad-Pimpri-Chinchwad Residents Development Welfare Association head Sachin Londhe, who works in a company in the area, to petition the Bombay High Court and launch a social media campaign that gained traction. Worried about the poor optics and the prospect of companies fleeing to other states, the Devendra Fadnavis government held an urgent meeting with them on July 10 and announced that a Single Point Authority led by the Divisional Commissioner would be set up to coordinate the efforts of different agencies to address problems in the IT the government's directives, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, which is in charge of the road network in the IT Park along with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, has demolished around 200 commercial and residential structures in the last couple of weeks in a bid to widen roads. 'Currently, we are surveying the structures on nullahs and streams. After this, action will be initiated against them … The PMRDA is committed to ensuring good, wide roads and, at the same time, providing good infrastructure for IT and other companies in Hinjewadi,' said PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase. The government's concerns come in the backdrop of the Opposition's pointed criticism in the past about Maharashtra losing industrial projects to neighbouring Gujarat during the Mahayuti government's tenure. In July 2022, after the Eknath Shinde government came to power, it was announced that Foxconn's semiconductor joint venture with Indian conglomerate Vedanta would come up in the state. However, two years later, Vedanta and Foxconn moved the semiconductor and display production plant to Gujarat, months before the elections in the state. This provided the Opposition a line of attack as it alleged that Maharashtra had been deprived of jobs to benefit Gujarat. Soon afterwards, Maharashtra also lost out on a Tata-Airbus and a bulk drugs manufacturing project. The Opposition was quick to target the government following Pawar's July 26 remarks. 'The BJP-led Mahayuti has nothing to do with development or addressing issues raised by IT employees. Hinjewadi has been craving for basic amenities. Ajit Pawar is the guardian minister of Pune district. What has he been doing all this time? What is the use of getting up at 6 am and making the media run after you? This is all a drama. Ajit Pawar speaks about development, but the anger of the IT employees in Hinjewadi has exposed his claim,' said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule, in whose constituency Hinjewadi is located, said she had been urging the state government to take steps to improve basic amenities in the area. 'I have written letters, I have appealed to the government several times, I have protested, but the government has done little for Hinjewadi … Now, they seem to be waking up. One hopes the government this time will seriously address the issue of the IT employees,' she said. Sule said she had urged the CM to encourage 'work from home' in Hinjewadi to reduce traffic snarls. 'Employees can come to work two days a week,' she said. Congress spokesperson Gopal Tiwari alleged the Mahayuti government had done 'hardly anything for the IT Park'. 'The government is busy playing politics. Imagine a world-famous IT park and the pride of Maharashtra languishing without proper infrastructure. The government's attitude forced some employees to move to other states. And it is this fear that seems to have finally rattled the government,' he added. One possible administrative change to resolve the problems, floated by BJP leaders, is bringing Hinjewadi under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). BJP MLA Mahesh Landge said the proposal was sent seven years ago. 'Because of Covid, there was no movement on the proposal. We are now hopeful that the government will give a green signal,' he said. 'We have demanded the inclusion of Hinjewadi and other areas in the PCMC limits. If Hinjewadi's development issues are to be addressed, the PCMC is capable of handling them … The government has promised to look into our demands,' said BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap. Local stakeholders said things had started moving since the meeting with the government earlier this month. 'Things are finally happening in Hinjewadi. Unlike earlier, our issues are being addressed. Various government and civic departments now seem to be coordinating effectively,' Hinjewadi Industries Association official Shankar Salkar told The Indian Express.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NGT orders sewage treatment plants to be set up in 6 months for Ramnadi
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Bhugaon Gram Panchayat, and the Bhukum Gram Panchayat to set up drainage systems and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent waste water from being mixed into Ramnadi within the next six months. The order passed on July 24, in a case by activist Krunnal Gharre, also states that FIRs should be filed against villagers or PMC residents dumping solid waste on the banks of the river. The order by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Vijay Kulkarni, based on a joint committee report, states that villages under the two Gram Panchayats and 23 villages included under the PMC are releasing untreated wastewater into the Ramnadi causing harm to the river. The order says, '…villages located on the bank of Ramnadi have not provided proper drainage network, also not provided treatment for the domestic effluent generated from the residential area…PMC has not provided drainage network for newly included 23 villages and also has not provided STPs.' The order report also mentions that domestic waste is being mixed into two PMC storm water lines connected to Ramnadi, causing further pollution of the river. The corporation has been directed to stop the flow of the domestic waste within the next six months as well. Bodies like PMC, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and the Gram Panchayats have been tasked with ensuring compliance of no solid waste dumping on the riverbank. Gharre told The Indian Express, 'Another important point is that PMRDA has always maintained it is a planning body and not an execution body. The order implied that it has accepted our position that PMRDA is not just a planning body and it is responsible for execution as well. This changes a lot for citizens. And for sustainable development, we had asked that wherever there is no basic infrastructure local bodies should not grant building permissions. The tribunal said that they agree with this but as it is a policy matter let the state and local bodies make this policy.' Consequential pollution of the Pashan Lake happening due to untreated waste water being released into the Ramnadi can also be stopped if the pollution of the river water is brought under control, the order opines. Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Traffic congestion hits new peak in Chakan MIDC belt
1 2 Pune: What was once a short and manageable commute has now turned into a daily nightmare for thousands of industrial workers travelling to Chakan MIDC. With traffic congestion worsening year after year, workers say their travel times have nearly tripled, and it is taking a toll on their routine, income, and mental health. Employees said journeys that earlier took 20-25 minutes now stretch to two hours, forcing them to leave home earlier and often return late. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Most companies have biometric attendance systems. Arriving even 15 minutes late results in being marked absent, causing salary deductions," said a Moshi resident, who commutes daily to Chakan MIDC. Ravindra Lite, a resident of Bharat Mata Chowk in Moshi, has been working at Chakan MIDC for the past 19 years. "I used to stay in Nigdi, 17km from my company. Six years ago, I shifted to Moshi because it is closer (12km away) and I hoped to get more time to spend with my family. But now, due to daily congestion, I end up spending more time on the road than before," he said. His travel time increased from 40-45 minutes to nearly two hours. Lite added that if he arrives late, he has to stay back at work to complete his 8.5-hour shift. Utkrant Chopade, a resident of Dehu-Alandi Road and an employee at Chakan MIDC for six years, said traffic has worsened significantly in the past two years. "I now leave home half an hour early to make it on time. But I still get caught in snarls, especially because of heavy vehicles. The return journey is just as bad; I reach home 30 minutes later daily," he said. The worsening congestion on Pune-Nashik Road and Talegaon-Shikrapur Road — the two critical routes connecting to Chakan MIDC — has sparked protests from local residents and industrialists, who are demanding immediate action from authorities. Chakan resident Pratik Jadhav expressed frustration over the poor condition of roads and lack of accountability for their upkeep. "The roads are in terrible shape, and the agencies responsible, PMRDA, MIDC, and NHAI, keep blaming each other instead of fixing the issue. This, coupled with congestion, has led to fatal accidents in the area," he said. Industrialist and Chakan resident Prashant Tope echoed concerns, stating that industry vehicles and employees are stuck in traffic on a daily basis. "Authorities have failed to respond to our repeated complaints. They skipped essential pre-monsoon maintenance, and now the roads are filled with potholes, making things worse," he said. Dhiraj Mutke, another local, said residents and industrialists held a protest last week to highlight concerns. "Following this, a meeting was held by the PMRDA commissioner with officials from all agencies concerned. But we remain sceptical. These issues have existed for years, and we have only received empty assurances so far," he said. Last year, Central govt approved funds for the proposed Nashik Phata-Rajgurunagar elevated corridor, but it remains delayed due to pending tendering procedures. Similarly, work on the Chakan-Shikrapur road, for which funds were approved earlier this year from state govt, is yet to begin. PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase told TOI that they have identified around seven roads that need to be developed on priority so that the congestion problem can be solved to some extent. "We are also planning another anti-encroachment drive to restore the full width of existing roads," he said, adding that although a similar drive was conducted earlier, encroachments have reappeared, re-narrowing the roads and worsening traffic flow. Mhase further said that other issues were also discussed in a meeting with all agencies concerned on Wednesday. "MSRDC has been tasked with repairing Talegaon-Shikrapur Road and filling potholes on a priority basis, while NHAI will focus on developing two-metre shoulders along the Pune-Nashik Highway," he said. Delays in several road projects due to land acquisition hurdles were also discussed. "It was decided that PMRDA will intervene and attempt to acquire land through transfer of development rights (TDR) wherever possible to speed up pending works," Mhase said. Vivek Patil, DCP (traffic) of Pimpri Chinchwad, told TOI that they have already banned movement of heavy vehicles between 8am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm on the problem stretches. "Traffic personnel and wardens were also increased earlier. We plan to deploy 10 traffic personnel and an officer in the region to manage the situation," he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Residents urge CM to halt PMRDA's auction of amenity plots, demand land be used for civic purposes
1 2 Pune: Citizen groups from Hinjewadi–Maan–Marunji region have urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to stop auctioning of 35 public amenity plots in their area by PMRDA. They said if these plots are auctioned it would deprive over 1.5 lakh residents of essential infrastructure. In their representation to Fadnavis, who also chairs Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the Hinjewadi Residents Welfare Association (HRWA) and Hinjewadi Employees and Residents Trust (HERT) have demanded a complete halt to the auction. They have called for an investigation into past allotments, citing possible violation of planning laws. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "These are not surplus plots — they are needed for setting up water supply system, substations, public gardens, parking, health centres, schools, ITIs, police chowkis etc," said Ravindra Sinha from HRWA. "If these lands go to private developers, where will such facilities come up?" Dnyanendra Hulsure from HERT said they are hoping that the CM would intervene as chairman of PMRDA and issue necessary orders staying the auction process for these crucial public lands. "The decision to hand over prime public lands is deeply concerning and detrimental to the welfare of the community,'' said Hulsure. The groups alleged that PMRDA's auction process has bypassed the participatory planning mandated by Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines. These guidelines designate amenity plots as "deemed reservations" meant to serve the public and decided through community consultation. PMRDA has announced e-auction of 35 plots across Mulshi, Maval, Haveli, and Khed, with a total base value of ₹91 crore. Earnest money deposits for the plots range from ₹84,000 to ₹25 lakh. PMRDA officials said the process is in line with the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), and some plots are reserved for public libraries and music schools. "All planning authorities auction amenity spaces to generate revenue, often at rates below the market value. Reservations are marked and the space will be auctioned as per the reservation," a senior PMRDA official said, adding that 32 such plots were auctioned earlier as well. "This is not just about compliance — it's about priorities. Should essential public land be sold off for commercial use?" said one of the residents. The groups have been writing to various authorities since 2021 to stop auctioning of amenity plots.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
PMR to be developed into growth hub: Ajit Pawar
Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) would be developed into a growth hub due to its leadership in technology, manufacturing, education, and green mobility. The blueprint of the planning would be prepared by Yashada, and funding provided by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The announcement was made during a meeting at the Mantralaya in view of NITI Aayog's guidelines under Union Budget 2024, identifying 14 cities for growth hub development. Pawar highlighted Pune's strengths: IT parks, Metro rail, ring roads, global educational institutions, hospitals, and major industrial zones in Chakan, Talegaon, and Ranjangaon. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The city is expected to generate 15–18 lakh jobs by 2030. Yashada would draft the economic growth strategy, and the divisional commissioner would monitor its implementation, he said. Efforts would be made on boosting tourism, skill development, ease of doing business, and attracting foreign investment, he said. Pawar stressed the need for all agencies to maintain momentum on current projects. A high-level review meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis would soon be held in Pune to finalise the next steps, he added. The meeting was attended via online by Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, district collector Jitendra Dudi and PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase
