The proposal for creating two municipal corporations in Pune has once again come into discussion following MLC Yogesh Tilekar's recent press conference. He stated that considering the pressure on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), discussions will be held with the Chief Minister and Guardian Minister about forming another municipal corporation.
Speaking to the media, he mentioned that although the population within PMC's jurisdiction is relatively less, the area covered is vast, making it one of the biggest civic bodies in Asia. He also noted that the population is expected to increase until 2040, putting additional strain on civic officials. Reaching areas like Manjri and Loni Kalbhor has become increasingly difficult for them.
This is not the first time a politician has raised the issue of dividing PMC. Earlier, Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil stated that Pune requires two municipal corporations, emphasizing that it is not possible to delay such a move. He had made the same statement in December 2022.
Last year, the Maharashtra government sought PMC's opinion on forming a new municipal corporation for Hadapsar and Wagholi areas or establishing a separate municipal council for Wagholi. However, residents of both areas have mixed opinions on this.
Strain on civic officials
Additionally, in 2022, the Maharashtra government reduced PMC’s jurisdiction by excluding Uruli Devachi and Fursungi villages to form a separate municipal council for them.
The issue of strain on civic officials gained attention after 34 villages were merged with PMC in two phases. In 2017, 11 villages were merged, followed by 23 more in 2021. However, Phursungi and Uruli Devachi were later excluded, reducing the total to 32 villages.
The current list includes: Mhalunge, Sus, Bavdhan, Kirkatwadi, Pisoli, remaining parts of Lohegaon, Kondhwe-Dhawade, Kopre, Nanded, Khadakwasla, Shivane, remaining parts of Hadapsar, Mundhwa (remaining parts of Keshavnagar), Manjari, Narhe, Ambegaon (Budruk), Undri, Dhayari, Ambegaon (Khurd), Mantarwadi, Holkarwadi, Handewadi, Wadachiwadi, Shewalewadi, Yewalewadi, Nandoshi, Mangdewadi, Bhilarewadi, Gujar Nimbalkarwadi, Jambhulwadi, and Kolewadi.
