4 min readPuneJul 23, 2025 03:16 PM IST
First published on: Jul 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM IST
AS 30 more “illegal structures” in Maan were demolished by PMRDA on Tuesday, the total structures razed in last 15 days has gone up to 200. In a related development, the Single Point Authority of Pune Divisional Commissioner on Tuesday apprised IT professionals and activists from Hinjewadi of steps taken so far to ease traffic woes and the condition of roads in the IT hub.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) moved into action after IT professionals, citizens and activists raised strong protest against daily traffic snarls, flooding of roads during rains and the absence an adequate number of roads in the IT hub. Their uproar, including a petition filed by a citizen in the Bombay High Court, rattled the state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde had to intervene in the matter. Both Shinde and Ajit Pawar visited Hinjewadi and tried to pacify agitated citizens and activists through the promise of strong steps to ease life for them in the IT hub. The CM held a meeting with IT professionals in Mumbai and announced setting up a Single Point Authority in Divisional Commissioner to coordinate the activities of all civic, traffic and other government departments.
As a result, PMRDA was forced to initiate quick action to widen roads and ease the flow of traffic in the area. In the last 15 days, it has claimed to have demolished nearly 200 illegal structures. However, PMRDA sources said so far they have not gone full hog against structures constructed on nullahs and streams. “Currently, a survey is underway to find out the exact number of illegal structures on nullahs and streams. After that we will initiate the action,” a PMRDA spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar on Tuesday held a meeting with various officials and representatives of the Wakad, Pimpri-Chinchwad Residents Development and Welfare Association.
Activist Sachin Londhe, the brain behind the UNCLOG HINJAWADI IT Park movement, said, “Today’s meeting with the Pune Divisional Commissioner was good. Various issues affecting Hinjewadi were discussed and the government agencies gave an update of things done so far.”
Londhe said he suggested a spot for multi-modal hub besides a bus depot for long distance buses in Baner-Balewadi area. “The PMRDA chief Yogesh Mhase on his part said they were in the process of acquiring land for six new roads. If this is done, it will have a big impact on easing traffic in the IT hub. Currently, there is only one major road through which traffic enters and exits Hinjewadi and which witnesses heavy traffic through the day. The condition worsens in the evening time,” he said.
Londhe said he also suggested appointments of traffic wardens through the day and even during evening hours. “We need more traffic wards as the number of traffic police personnel are highly inadequate. The PMRDA chief promised that they will recruit wards and foot their salaries as well. Other issues like portable signals, dividers and speed breakers were also discussed at the meeting. The authorities were positive about resolving the issues were raised by us. We are hoping that life of IT professionals and other citizens will ease considerably in the coming days.
Meanwhile, PMRDA officials said the action against illegal constructions will continue till all of them are taken down. “Our drive is a strong one this time. We will not spare any illegal structures. We are determined to make Hinjewadi free of traffic jams and snarls. There will also no flooding of roads in future,” said PMRDA chief Yogesh Mhase.
As PMRDA razes 30 more structures, hopes rise for smoother commute in Hinjewadi (Express Photo) 
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