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This is an archive article published on September 20, 2023

Slum dwellings in Pimpri Chinchwad to get digital address; survey launched to upgrade basic amenities

Pratima Joshi of Shelter Associates said, “Google Plus code is generated in the Google Plus code software…”

pimpri chinchwad slums, address, google, pune news, indian expressThe survey has been launched by the PCMC with the help of NGO Shelter Associates, which has already provided Google Plus codes in several slums in Kolhapur and a few in Pune city. (Representational Photo)
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Slum dwellings in Pimpri Chinchwad to get digital address; survey launched to upgrade basic amenities
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The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Tuesday launched a survey in eight slums under its jurisdiction with an aim to provide a ‘Plus Code’ to every dwelling. A ‘Plus Code’, developed by Google, is a digital address based on latitude and longitude and displayed as letters and numbers.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Ulhas Jagtap inaugurated the survey at Gawli Matha slum near Nehrunagar. The eight slums are located in Akurdi, Bhosari, Pimpri and Dapodi areas.

The PCMC will initially put up a board with a ‘Plus Code’ outside each hutment and shop in the eight slums. And then, the exercise will be carried out in all PCMC slums, civic officials said.

“The survey will help us understand the status of basic services being provided in the slums by the civic body and other related details like availability of water, roads, drainage, and toilets for individual huts. After this, we plan to provide each hutment with a Google Plus code. The code will help us identify the exact location of the hutment and the needs of the family staying there,” PCMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Anna Bodade told Indian Express Wednesday.

Bodade said though the PCMC is currently in the process of rehabilitating slum dwellers by constructing high-rise buildings, the civic administration at the same time is determined to ensure that basic services are upgraded in the slums.

“Slum rehabilitation is a continuous process. It is happening and will take time. Before that, we cannot allow slums to remain in the state they are in. And, therefore, the civic administration is going all out to ensure effective implementation of basic services for slum dwellers,” he added.

The survey has been launched by the PCMC with the help of NGO Shelter Associates, which has already provided Google Plus codes in several slums in Kolhapur and a few in Pune city.

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Pratima Joshi of Shelter Associates said, “Google Plus code is generated in the Google Plus code software…”

Joshi added that the code will help residents avail services like cylinder delivery or emergency ambulance service at their doorstep. The code will also be highly beneficial to the PCMC. “If a drain is overflowing in front of a hutment, the resident living there can alert the PCMC by putting the code in Google Maps. The officials can then locate the exact hutment.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Joshi said, they had given a Plus Code to each dwelling in Kolhapur slums. “This helped us in finding out the status of vaccination among slum dwellers,” she said.

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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