Rs 1.72 crore fine on L&T, Tech Mahindra for delay in Pune Smart City projects

The board of directors of Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City Corporation Ltd, though, in a meeting on Friday, agreed to provide the firms with a three-month extension for completion of the projects, even as it refused to offer them any reduction in fine.

The projects pertained to laying of optical fibre cables in the city and the companies had cited lack of manpower due to Covid-related curbs as the reason for the almost three-month-long delay | Express photo

Taking strong exception to delay on part of L&T Limited and Tech Mahindra Limited in completion of Smart City projects assigned to them, the authorities at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City Corporation Limited have imposed fines to the tune of Rs 1.72 crore on them.

The board of directors of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City Corporation Limited, though, at a meeting held on Friday, agreed to provide the firms with a three-month extension for completion of the projects, even as it refused to offer them any reduction in fine.

The projects pertained to laying of optical fibre cables in the city and the companies had cited lack of manpower due to Covid-related curbs as the reason for the almost three-month-long delay.

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Revealing the decisions taken at the meeting, Joint CEO of the Smart City project, Neelkanth Poman told The Indian Express on Saturday that the board of directors rejected the requests made by the two firms seeking a waiver on their fine amount. “The board has contended that whatever relief had to be given to them as per the government resolution had already been extended. Besides, the firms have been given an (additional) extension to complete their work,” he added.

Project Chairman Nitin Kareer, who is the State Principal Secretary, Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Patil and other directors were present at the meeting held at the Auto Cluster in Chinchwad.

Poman said that in all, five contractors were given the task of implementing 38 projects of the Smart City. “Of these, L&T is implementing six projects while Tech Mahindra is implementing 16 of them. Both the firms have not been able to complete their projects within deadline. Their work had proceeded at snail’s pace. Therefore, L&T was fined Rs 36 lakh while Tech Mahindra was fined Rs 1.36 crore,” he said. The amount has been deducted from their bills, he added.

An official from Tech Mahindra refused to comment on the development.

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Poman said both companies had put forward a request to the board of directors to waive of their fine amount. “The two firms had requested that they were facing manpower and material shortage due to the ongoing pandemic and the resultant lockdown. They said migrant labourers had gone home, and material from foreign countries was also not available. However, the board’s view was that they have been given necessary relief already and no more exemption can be given to them.”

The board has given a six-month extension to the two firms to complete their works, he added.

The board has also decided to set up a separate committee for Fibre Cable Networking.

Besides, Poman said, the directors have decided to give a three-month extension to the contractor implementing the e-classroom project in 105 civic schools. “They are installing IT equipment in the schools at a cost of Rs 5.64 crore,” he said.

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KPMG Limited, another private agency handling Smart City projects, has also been given a one-month extension to complete the tasks assigned to it.

“Depending on the implementation of the project, a call will be taken on further extension,” said PCMC chief Patil.

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The board said that out of the Rs 637 crore received from the Central government, Rs 521 crore have been spent on the projects. “In the next three months, several projects would be completed,” Patil said.

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Mayor Usha Dhore, PCMC House leader Namdeo Dhake, Opposition leader Raju Misal, corporator and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) group leader Sachin Chikhale, corporator Pramod Kute, PMPML chairman and managing director Rajendra Jagtap, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash, all of whom are directors of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City Corporation Limited, were present at the meeting.

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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