Ajit Pawar Orders Rapid Infrastructure Upgrades for Hinjewadi IT Hub

Mumbai: Immediate steps should be taken to alleviate traffic congestion in the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Information Technology Park,’ a world-class IT hub in Pune, to facilitate the establishment of new industries in the area. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed senior officials in a meeting held at the Ministry today to expedite the completion of infrastructure projects such as road widening, flyovers, and solid waste management for the benefit of industries, employees, and local residents.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar convened a meeting to address the demands of the Hinjewadi Industrial Association in his committee room at the Ministry. Attendees included Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department O.P. Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Ashish Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Asim Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority Rahul Mahiwal, Secretary of the Public Works Department Sadashiv Salunkhe, Industrial Development Commissioner Dipendra Singh Kushwaha, Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation Dr. Vipin Sharma, and other senior officers. Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Sunil Ramanand, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Santosh Patil, National Highway Authority Project Director Shri Kadam, President of the Hinjewadi Industrial Association Captain Yogesh Joshi, Secretary Colonel Charanjit Bhogal, and other dignitaries participated via video conference.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar highlighted that the Rajiv Gandhi Information Technology Park has been developed in three phases by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation within the limits of Hinjewadi, Man, and Marunji villages. It has gained global recognition as an IT hub. The state government prioritizes creating an industry-friendly environment for companies here. Hence, government agencies such as PMRDA, PCMC, MIDC, PWD, etc., should address the issues faced by entrepreneurs in a coordinated and urgent manner.

A significant number of vehicles travel to the Hinjewadi IT area from various parts of Pune for industry and employment. However, the existing roads are narrow, causing traffic congestion. To address this issue, roads in the area should be widened to six lanes, flyovers should be constructed where necessary, service roads should be expanded, and underground systems should be established for cables at flyovers, with unauthorized cables removed. Beautification efforts should include the removal of unauthorized billboards along the road, filling potholes, and repairing dividers and sidewalks. Additionally, a drainage system should be set up to prevent rainwater accumulation, which causes traffic snarls outside the MIDC area.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar noted that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation is setting up a project with a capacity of 10 metric tons for solid waste management within its territory. However, solid waste within the Gram Panchayat limits under the MIDC premises must also be processed. Therefore, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad should take necessary action to set up a 100 metric ton capacity project. A police station should be established within the MIDC limits to maintain law and order, and the Hinjewadi Industrial Association should cooperate in this endeavor.

Over the past few years, vehicular traffic in the Hinjewadi IT area has significantly increased due to the influx of national and international companies and the establishment of complementary industries and businesses. To accelerate the development of the Hinjewadi area, it is essential to expedite the construction of infrastructure facilities. Therefore, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed senior officers to conduct an inspection of the area on Friday and Saturday under the guidance of the Divisional Commissioner and take necessary measures.