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Fadnavis admits Chakan infrastructure crisis, promises upgrade after monsoon
His remarks came amid reports that around 20 companies are considering shifting their plants from Chakan due to persistent traffic problems
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday acknowledged the “very genuine” infrastructure crisis in Chakan MIDC and said the state government would undertake an upgrade of the industrial area’s infrastructure after the monsoon.
His remarks came amid reports that around 20 companies are considering shifting their plants from Chakan due to persistent traffic problems. Chakan is a major automobile hub, with several multinational companies and their ancillary units operating in the area.
Residents, industrialists and workers have recently raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of internal and approach roads, potholes and chronic traffic congestion, saying the problems are disrupting industrial activity, delaying production and posing safety risks.
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Fadnavis said a meeting had already been held to discuss the concerns raised by industries in Chakan.
“The Chakan issue is a very genuine one. In that context, a meeting has been held. After the monsoon gets over, we will undertake the work of upgrading all the infrastructure there,” he said.
Fadnavis said the immediate upgrade would be followed by a long-term plan to convert MIDC areas into industrial townships.
“Unless we convert these MIDC areas into townships, we cannot upgrade their infrastructure or maintain it properly,” he said.
The Urban Development Department and MIDC have been given targets to first convert better-developed MIDCs around Pune into industrial townships, he said.
“I assure you that the Chakan issue has been taken very seriously and we will resolve it,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis was in Pune to attend a conference on Global Capability Centres (GCCs), organised by GCC Pro, which was attended by representatives of around 150 Indian and international companies.
He said Pune could emerge as the country’s largest GCC hub in terms of office space this year. “Last year Pune was at number two in terms of total GCC space in the country. This year it may come to number one,” he said.
The state plans to develop a GCC ecosystem across Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur.
On the proposed Pune-Nashik railway line, Fadnavis said a committee headed by scientist Anil Kakodkar had been constituted to find a solution that would allow the project to proceed without affecting the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observatory.
