Pune: No final decision on weekend lockdown yet, says PCMC commissioner

His reaction came following the idea of a two-day lockdown proposed by Mayor Usha Dhore.

PCMC Commissioner Rajesh Patil (Express Photo)

THE Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation on Saturday said discussions about imposing a lockdown or ‘janata curfew’ on weekends was underway but no final decision has been taken yet.

“We are discussing the possibility of imposing a lockdown or janata curfew on weekends but no decision has been taken as yet…we might take the decision next week,” Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Patil told The Indian Express on Saturday.

His reaction came following the idea of a two-day lockdown proposed by Mayor Usha Dhore. Her suggestion had received wide support from political parties like NCP and Shiv Sena and even from civic activists.

The PCMC chief said the civic body was in the process of getting feedback from people. “… We will base our decision on the feedback we receive,” he said.

Patil said since cases are surging every day, they have decided to increase the number of vaccination centres from 40 to 80-90. “Since we are taking the step of increasing vaccination, we are not as of now laying emphasis on lockdown. Our entire focus as of now is on stepping up vaccination,” he said.

Dhore, however, said, “If people continue to crowd public places and refuse to compulsorily wear masks, which would lead to further rise in cases, we will have no option but to impose lockdown next weekend,” adding that she has already instructed civic officials about exploring the possibility of imposing the lockdown if the number of cases don’t come down by next week.

Appealing to the people to observe Covid- appropriate behaviour, the mayor lamented, “Despite the fact that positive cases are spiraling, many local residents are still not taking it seriously. They are unnecessarily moving out of their homes or attending marriage ceremonies and birthday parties. Local residents should act responsibly… these are difficult times, we should all make an united effort to bring positive cases down.”

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Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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