Hinjewadi First needs more hands

Unmesh Bhathija,vice-president,HIA,said,“Right now,we’re trying to involve more members to come forward to join the initiative. A large portion between Hinjewadi phase I and II has manufacturing industries but few are willing to join the initiative. We need to make a consolidated effort to make the project work.”

One of the major demands of Hinjewadi First is that the area be developed as a business district with a single competent authority rather than multiple government agencies. The need for a comprehensive development plan for at least the next three years to handle the rapidly expanding IT industry is a major demand made by HIA. Mritunjay Singh,president,HIA,said,“Hinjewadi has a huge contribution of around 40 per cent to Maharashtra’s IT exports of around US $ 4billion. Having created employment opportunities for around three lakh individuals,Hinjewadi deserves better. There is a need to examine business districts in London and Singapore closely. Though the concept is new to India,it can prove to be a model that will help us in our immediate planning at least for the next three years as well as long term plans for the area.”

HIA is looking for completion of a fire station at Phase-III,more connecting roads from Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park to Balewadi and Baner to ease traffic,increasing water storage capacity by 5,000 cubic metres along with an alternate waterline from Kasarsai Dam and a separate power facility. HIA expects a holistic and integrated development approach looking at the growth potential of IT in the city,specifically Hinjewadi.