Maharashtra govt forms panel to tackle Chakan industrial belt's infra woes

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted on Friday that there were serious infrastructure issues in the industrial area and promised relief (Photo: PTI)

Facing the ire of companies over potholed roads and traffic snarls in Pune's Chakan industrial belt, the Maharashtra government has admitted serious infrastructure gaps and set up a highlevel panel to resolve them.

With the Opposition targeting the government over the issue, the ruling dispensation has moved swiftly to contain the situation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted on Friday that there were serious infrastructure issues in the industrial area and promised relief. The government subsequently formed a high-level panel to resolve the problems troubling the companies.

Industries Minister Uday Samant visited the area on Sunday and met senior officials and representatives of industrial associations. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde joined the discussions via video-conferencing.

The state government drew flak after the owners of at least 20 companies recently said they had decided to shift their factories to Khandala in Pune district due to severe traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure in the Chakan Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

Shinde on Sunday directed the administration to prioritise filling potholes to ease traffic congestion in the area, an official release said. Considering the difficulties involved in repairing roads during the monsoon, modern technologies such as pre-cast systems and geo-polymer techno-patch should be used, he said.

Shinde announced that the MIDC would make land available for a solid waste management project, a police station, a fire station and an electrical substation, and that the development plan for Chakan city would be approved at the earliest.

He directed that various departments work together under the chairmanship of the district collector and immediately implement an action plan for developing infrastructure in the area.

The deputy CM instructed officials to "implement short, medium and long-term measures to resolve the traffic congestion faced by industries in Chakan, the release said.

To address the difficulties faced by industries and locals in the Chakan-Talegaon area, the Pune collector will act as the nodal officer, Shinde said, adding that action should be taken against contractors who deliberately delay or fail to complete works on time.

Mahatransco, a state-owned electricity transmission company, has planned to install a new transformer by August 31 to address electricity-related issues.