An online petition has been launched urging the merger of the Hinjawadi IT Park with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). This comes amid growing concerns over deteriorating civic facilities in the area.
In the petition, Sachin Londhe, a member of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Residents Development and Welfare Association, said this "is a desperate plea from the thousands of citizens, IT professionals, daily commuters, and residents who endure unimaginable hardships in and around the Hinjawadi IT Park." "Despite being the bedrock of Maharashtra's IT economy and a global tech hub, Hinjawadi suffers from a shocking state of neglect that severely impacts our quality of life, productivity, and the region's economic potential," he added.
As per the petition, thousands of IT professionals, residents of Hinjawadi, Maan, and surrounding villages and localities such as Wakad, Pune City, Chinchwad, Ravet, Punawale, Marunji, Mahalunge, Sus, Baner, and Bavdhan, local businesses operating within and around Wakad and Hinjawadi, students going to educational institutions in the area, and many others are affected due to traffic woes, severe waterlogging, and lack of adequate street lighting in the area.
Due to the persistent problems, Londhe said this is deterring new investments and potentially leading to existing companies reconsidering their presence. The traffic is reducing productivity, there has been a talent exodus as many professionals are moving to other cities or abroad, the quality of life is deteriorating, and it is damaging the state's reputation.
Last week, Baramati MP Supriya Sule wrote a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding an independent governance authority for Hinjawadi.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sule wrote, "There is a significant delay in resolving infrastructure-related issues in the areas of Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Hinjawadi, Maan, and Marunji. Citizens are compelled to follow up with multiple agencies such as @midc_india, Municipal Corporations, Metro, @OfficialPMRDA, @MSEDCL, and the Police Department, resulting in considerable loss of time and mental distress."
"To avoid this, there is an urgent need to establish an independent authority encompassing Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Hinjawadi, Maan, Marunji, and adjoining areas. A competent officer should be appointed to head this authority," she added.
"This will greatly ease the process for citizens to raise and resolve their grievances in a timely manner. Requesting Chief Minister @Dev_Fadnavis to take serious cognisance of this matter and consider taking a positive decision in this regard. Thank you," she further said.
Hinjawadi, developed by MIDC, is home to some of the top IT companies, including TCS, Wipro, and Infosys. People from across the country have relocated here for employment opportunities. However, the civic infrastructure is in total disarray. Videos of flooded roads, traffic chaos, and garbage menace routinely do the rounds on social media. There have also been discussions about incorporating the area into either the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) or the PCMC. It remains to be seen when the administration will resolve these issues.
