 leader Ajit Pawar?w=900)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mumbai: With Pune facing rapid urbanisation, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday gave a major push to create three more municipal corporations in the Pune district.
Pawar, an eight-time MLA from Baramati, is also the guardian minister of Pune district.
As of now Pune has two municipal corporations - Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Besides, the district has Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) responsible for the planning, development and governance of the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR)—one of India’s largest and fastest-growing urban areas.
PMRDA oversees the integrated and sustainable development of a vast region that comprises the cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the tehsils of Maval, Mulshi and Haveli, as well as selected areas from the talukas of Bhor, Daund, Shirur, Khed, Purandar and Velhe.
Looking at the problems in Pune and how it was taking a toll on the district’s industries and information technology sector, Pawar made the proposal.
“The first one will be for Hinjawadi and the surrounding area, the second for Chakan and its neighbouring places and the third for areas like Wagholi, Manjri, Loni Kalbhor, Phurungi and Uruli Devachi,” he said.
Pawar, the state’s Finance and Planning Minister, said that he would hold discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is the state’s Urban Development Minister.
“Unless municipal corporations are formed, these areas won't get surplus funds to make broad roads, storm water drainage systems…decisions have to be taken according to time. In Mumbai too, there are many municipal corporations – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Ulhasnagar, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur. Similarly, in Pune too, we will have to take a similar decision," he added.