Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Addresses Issues in Chakan MIDC and Hinjawadi IT Park
Mumbai/Pune, 1st August 2024: Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjawadi and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in Chakan are facing numerous problems that are hampering the smooth operation of companies and industrial activities. As a result, businesses are at risk. Taking serious note of this, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister of Pune District, Ajit Pawar, held a high-level meeting in Mumbai yesterday. In this meeting, he directed that the issues faced by the industries be resolved by streamlining all the systems.
There are around 2,000 big and small companies in Chakan MIDC, employing more than 1.5 million people. Notable companies in Chakan MIDC include Mercedes-Benz, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra Group, Volkswagen, Škoda Auto, Bridgestone India Private Limited, Hyundai Motor Company, Force Motors, Bharat Forge, Robert Bosch, and many others. However, traffic congestion in this area has significantly increased, and the problem of waste has also become more severe over time. As a result, the industry is facing considerable difficulties. The Federation of Chakan Industries has been advocating for the expansion of infrastructure for several years, but they have yet to receive a response from the government.
Many large companies operating in Chakan have preferred to expand in other states rather than in Maharashtra, which has brought the issue of inadequate facilities back into discussion. Against this backdrop, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar held a meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Maharashtra’s Minister for Industries Uday Samant, as well as officials from the Industries Department, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
During the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar highlighted the severe traffic jams at Talegaon Chowk in Chakan and recommended that the police deploy additional manpower to ease the traffic. He also suggested that unlicensed rickshaws be controlled and that all encroachments on roads and highways in the area be removed immediately. Additionally, he proposed that MIDC make available the open space along the four-lane highway in Chakan and that NHAI prioritize the development of a six-lane road in that area.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar said that the number of heavy vehicles coming into the Chakan area is high. Therefore, PMRDA should work on developing a parking lot at the planned site of the truck terminal within the MIDC limits. A fund of Rs 179 crore has been allocated through the budget for the widening of new roads to alleviate traffic congestion in the Chakan area. MIDC should provide 4 acres of land for the local treatment of waste from 17 nearby villages, in addition to waste from industrial areas. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar also instructed that a waste processing center be established at this location using the latest technology.
Current Problems in Chakan MIDC:
– Traffic congestion in various areas
– Impact on workers’ health due to traffic issues
– Increasing garbage problem
– Lack of skilled manpower
– Negligible increase in new companies
– Rising water scarcity
– Highest electricity tariff in the country
– Financial loss due to frequent power outages
– Intimidation by top trade unions
Dilip Batwal, Secretary of the Federation of Chakan Industries, said, “The problem in Chakan MIDC is increasing day by day. For the past several years, we have been pursuing this issue with government agencies. Our patience is now at an end. Inadequate infrastructure is imposing a heavy financial toll on industries.”
Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, “The Pune District Collector and the Commissioner of Police for Pimpri-Chinchwad should personally inspect the area to implement the necessary measures to alleviate the traffic congestion in Chakan. Following this, appropriate measures should be taken immediately.”
