Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 29: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has granted in-principle approval for an integrated infrastructure development plan worth over Rs 1,826 crore for Chakan and Hinjawadi industrial areas, aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving roads and strengthening stormwater drainage systems.
The plan includes projects worth Rs 1,400 crore for Chakan and Rs 426.54 crore for Hinjawadi. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said work is scheduled to begin in December, with the objective of completing key infrastructure improvements before the next monsoon.
Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Public Works Department (PWD), Zilla Parishad and other agencies to coordinate and pool resources for the projects. The administration will consolidate funding and logistics for upgrading roads, public utilities and drainage infrastructure.
In Chakan, encroachments along 78 km of natural streams have restricted water flow. The plan provides for clearing the streams, constructing roadside drains, increasing culvert discharge capacity and developing water retention facilities.
Around 70-80 per cent of the encroachments have already been removed, while the remaining encroachments will be cleared in phases. The administration aims to restore all natural drainage routes by June 2027 and construct 38 km of roadside stormwater drains.
A detailed assessment of Chakan's 498-km road network identified 75 km of roads for immediate upgrading. These stretches will have pedestrian walkways, improved drainage and safety infrastructure. The work will be undertaken within the existing right of way by removing encroachments, thereby avoiding fresh land acquisition.
The upgraded roads will also include underground utility ducts, footpaths, designated pedestrian crossing points and traffic management systems. Pedestrian facilities will be incorporated into the upcoming National Highway flyover.
To ease commuter traffic, 500 additional buses will be introduced on key routes. Six major junctions will be scientifically redesigned and equipped with AI-enabled traffic signals, CCTV cameras, radars and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, along with a centralised command centre.
MIDC has identified five parking facilities to address unauthorised roadside parking by heavy goods vehicles. Beautification of road medians, public toilets and bus shelters will be undertaken with private-sector participation and support from local industries.
The Chakan industrial water supply network is targeted for completion by 2027, after which its management will be handed over to the Maharashtra Jeevan Authority (MJP).
A new 100 MVA power substation is scheduled to begin construction in December. A centralised waste processing facility will also be established to manage garbage generated in 14 villages and two municipal councils under PMRDA supervision.
An AI-powered Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) and Command and Control Centre will monitor and regulate traffic across Chakan, Talegaon and Hinjawadi.
To strengthen traffic management, 100 personnel from the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) will be deployed in Chakan from October 1.
For Hinjawadi, the government has approved Rs 426.54 crore to address severe traffic congestion and related infrastructure issues. Six acres of land have been allocated to address power supply requirements, while 100 MSF personnel will also be deployed for traffic management.
Waste management services in Hinjawadi will be streamlined through either the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) or the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The integrated measures are aimed at improving mobility, drainage, utilities and essential civic infrastructure in the two major industrial hubs.