Pune: Uncertainty over school reopening as 6,000 children in home isolation, decision today

While PMC areas have seen 3,000 children being affected with Covid-19 in the current wave, Pimpri-Chinchwad has seen 3,010 cases in barely 20 days. Most of them are in home isolation.

Minister Varsha Gaikwad, too, had said the local administration should take a decision based on the caseload. (File)

With nearly 6,000 children under 18 in home isolation in PMC and PCMC areas, the district administration said it will have to consider the caseload before taking a decision to reopen schools.

“In Pune, Covid-19 cases are rising sharply…We will have to consider the caseload before taking any decision to restart the schools,” Pune district colllector Rajesh Deshmukh said on Friday, indicating that schools might not reopen in Pune from January 24, the date allowed by the state government.

“The final call regarding restarting the schools will be taken at Saturday’s district review meeting. We will take into account whether it is necessary to restart the schools or wait for some time. Last year, the cases had started rising from second week of February,” he said.

An official at the Collectorate said, “Instead of rushing into restarting the schools, it would be prudent to wait for a week or so before taking the final decision.”

Minister Varsha Gaikwad, too, had said the local administration should take a decision based on the caseload. “She had said that schools can be restarted if cases are not rising in a particular area,” said the official.

On Thursday, Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol had said that with Covid-19 cases rising in the city over the last two weeks, the authorities don’t intend to rush into any decision to restart the schools. “In the current Covid wave, around 3,000 children (in PMC areas) have been affected. While a majority of them are in home isolation, at least a 100 have been hospitalised as they have mild to moderate symptoms. We will take these factors into consideration at the district review meeting to be held on Saturday where the final call will be taken,” he said. The mayor said he will also discuss the issue with parents’ associations and Task Force experts.

While PMC areas have seen 3,000 children being affected with Covid-19 in the current wave, Pimpri-Chinchwad has seen 3,010 cases in barely 20 days. Most of them are in home isolation.

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Dr Sunita Salve, in-charge of PCMC’s (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) Jijamata Hospital, which has been exclusively reserved for children, said, “We had some 55 children admitted to the hospital. Now only four remain. None of the children had any severe symptoms that required oxygen support,” she said.

Mayor Mai Dhore said she will take up the issue of rising Covid cases, especially among children in Pimpri-Chinchwad, at the meeting on Saturday.

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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