Pune Metropolitan Region to be Developed as a Growth Hub – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

YASHADA to Prepare the Planning Blueprint for Pune Growth Hub

Mumbai : The Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) is leading in technology, manufacturing, education, and green mobility, which makes it an ideal candidate for being developed as a Growth Hub, announced Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He added that YASHADA (Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration) will prepare the detailed planning blueprint, and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) will allocate funds for this initiative.

He was speaking at a meeting held at Mantralaya, organized in line with the guidelines of NITI Aayog. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Finance Additional Chief Secretary O.P. Gupta, Planning Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajagopal Devara, General Administration Department Additional Chief Secretary V. Radha, Secretary to Deputy CM Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, and via video conferencing, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Collector Jitendra Dudi, PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase, YASHADA Director Pavneet Kaur, and Registrar Rajiv Nandkar.

Deputy CM Pawar recalled that the Union Budget 2024 had proposed the creation of 14 Growth Hub cities across India, with Phase 1 including Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Surat (Gujarat), Vizag (Andhra Pradesh), and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). While implementation has already begun in MMR, plans are now underway to develop Pune as the next G-Hub city. NITI Aayog has included Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik in Maharashtra for this initiative.

Pune is poised for G-Hub status due to its established IT industry, industrial sectors, metro connectivity, ring road infrastructure, industrial corridors, as well as world-class educational institutions and healthcare facilities. YASHADA will be responsible for creating the economic growth policy and development plan for the region, with oversight and coordination by the Divisional Commissioner. Once the blueprint is prepared, PMRDA, Pune Municipal Corporation, and related agencies will implement it.

Currently, Pune’s gross domestic product (GDP) is ₹4.2 lakh crore, and by 2030, it is projected to create 15 to 18 lakh jobs, of which at least 6 lakh will be for women. With this vision, Pune will become the first Indian city to adopt an economic development plan. Deputy CM Pawar urged all regional bodies and project stakeholders to maintain momentum in ongoing development efforts. A review meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis will soon be held at YASHADA in Pune to monitor progress.

Key Focus Areas for Growth Hub Development in Pune:

• Strong presence of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, Clean Tech, and Semiconductor Design.
• Expansion of MIDC industrial clusters in Chakan, Talegaon, and Ranjangaon in sectors like automotive, aerospace, precision engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
• With over 800 higher education institutions, Pune is set to become India’s leading skill-export city.
• Metro and ring road corridors, along with new townships, support green and smart urbanization.
• Potential for tourism, agro-tourism, spiritual circuits, and adventure zones is being explored.
• Focus on improving ease of doing business, issuing skill certifications, and boosting startup investments will enhance foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region.