Maharashtra govt forms high-level panel to fix Chakan roads, traffic and infrastructure issues

Facing criticism from industrialists over potholeridden roads traffic congestion and infrastructure gaps in Punes Chakan industrial belt the Maharashtra government has set up a highlevel committee to address the problems and ensure timebound actionThe move comes after several companies operating in the industrial area raised concerns over deteriorating infrastructure and traffic snarls The issue has also given the Opposition an opportunity to target the state government over the condition of one of Maharashtras key industrial hubsGovernment acknowledges infrastructure gapsChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday acknowledged that Chakan was facing serious infrastructure problems and promised steps to provide relief to industries operating in the areaThe government subsequently formed a highlevel panel to address the issues affecting companies and residentsIndustries Minister Uday Samant visited Chakan on Sunday and held discussions with senior officials and representatives of industrial associations Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde participated in the meeting through videoconferencingThe government came under pressure after owners of at least 20 companies said recently that they had decided to shift their factories to Khandala in Pune district citing severe traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure in the Chakan Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation MIDC areaPothole repairs traffic management get priorityShinde directed the administration to prioritise pothole repairs to improve traffic movement in the industrial belt according to an official releaseAcknowledging the difficulties of carrying out conventional road repairs during the monsoon Shinde said modern methods such as precast systems and geopolymer technopatch should be consideredHe also directed various government departments to work together under the chairmanship of the district collector and immediately implement an action plan for infrastructure development in the areaThe deputy chief minister instructed officials to implement short medium and longterm measures to resolve the traffic congestion faced by industries in Chakan the release saidTo coordinate efforts in the ChakanTalegaon area the Pune collector will act as the nodal officer Shinde said He also directed authorities to take action against contractors who deliberately delay projects or fail to complete works within the stipulated timeNew civic and utility infrastructure plannedThe MIDC will make land available for a solid waste management project a police station a fire station and an electrical substation Shinde said He also directed that the development plan for Chakan city be approved at the earliestPower supplyrelated issues were also discussed during the meeting Mahatransco the stateowned electricity transmission company has planned to install a new transformer by August 31 The MIDC will provide land for an additional electrical substationShinde also said proposed transport infrastructure could help support industrial expansion in the region and reduce pressure on existing roadsHe expressed confidence that the proposed Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Ranjangaon and Chakan MIDC along with the planned highway connecting Uran Karjat Rajgurunagar Shirur and Pune would boost industrial development and help ease congestion in the Chakan areaAdditional road works plannedAfter the meeting Samant said the authorities had started addressing some of the immediate concerns raised by industries and local residentsAuthorities have also initiated immediate work to repair potholes strengthen road shoulders clear garbage and streamline parking management across the industrial beltSamant said a highlevel committee had been constituted under the district collector to ensure coordination between different agenciesWork on portions of the previously approved 27km concrete road project has already been completed he saidApproval will be granted on priority for an additional 17 to 18 km of road works based on the needs identified by industrial associations and local residents he addedGovernment sets 10month deadlineAccording to a Government Resolution GR issued on August 14 the state has formed a highlevel committee to address road repairs traffic congestion and management issues in the rapidly expanding industrial beltThe committee will also oversee a mechanism for timebound resolution of grievances raised by industriesThe GR noted that new industries and Global Capability Centres are being established in Chakan and other parts of Pune district on a large scale At the same time several cases related to approvals and permissions from government departments are pendingThe government has set a 10month deadline from the date of the GR for completing the planning approvals coordination and implementation processIndustry relocation becomes political issueThe concerns raised by companies have also turned into a political issue with Opposition leaders questioning the governments handling of industrial infrastructureNCP SP chief Sharad Pawar last week urged the Maharashtra government to take urgent steps to retain industries and protect jobs He said the decision by 20 companies employing more than 2000 workers to relocate was a serious matterIndustries should not be forced to relocate employment opportunities should be protected and the industrial strength of the state should be maintained Pawar said in a post on X He also suggested a special singlewindow mechanism to ensure timely resolution of their problemsShiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray after visiting the Chakan industrial area on Saturday said as many as 5000 direct and indirect jobs could be affected if some companies moved their operations as announcedHe claimed that infrastructural mess corruption administrative mess and intraandinterdepartment rivalries are among the reasons behind industries moving outThe Opposition has also stepped up its criticism over data recently shared in Parliament showing that 36211 private companies in Maharashtra had shut down over the past five yearsWith inputs from PTI