Pune district, known for its rapid urbanization and growth, could soon see the formation of two new municipal corporations. Ongoing discussions are focused on creating separate civic bodies for Chakan village and its surrounding areas, as well as for the eastern parts of Pune city, particularly Hadapsar. These developments are expected to ease the management challenges posed by the region’s expansion.
Currently, Pune district is served by two municipal corporations: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). However, the growing population and infrastructure demands are pushing local authorities to consider the formation of additional civic bodies to address the needs of the fast-developing areas.
### Key Developments in the Proposed Municipal Corporations
### Chakan Municipal Corporation Proposal:
A report is currently being prepared to establish a separate municipal corporation for Chakan and nearby regions. This move was prompted by a directive from the state government, with discussions on the matter beginning over a year ago. However, the process was delayed due to the election code of conduct during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The proposal includes merging areas under the Alandi, Chakan, and Rajgurunagar municipal councils to form a new civic body.
Expansion of Urban Areas: Chakan, once a rural area, has seen significant industrial and residential growth. With new housing projects, factories, and infrastructure developments, the demand for better civic management has increased.
Improved Local Governance: Local authorities believe that creating a separate municipal corporation for this rapidly growing area will help address the needs of the expanding population more efficiently.
### Hadapsar Municipal Corporation:
Discussions regarding the creation of a new municipal corporation for Hadapsar’s eastern parts have been underway for over a decade. The idea gained momentum during the 2014 state assembly elections when then-Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar made a public announcement regarding the formation of a separate corporation for the area. The eastern parts of Pune city have seen significant growth, which has placed a strain on the existing infrastructure managed by PMC.
Political Backing: Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe has been a vocal proponent of the new municipal corporation. He stated that citizens and elected members both support the idea, given the area’s growing needs for better infrastructure and resource management.
Overburdened Infrastructure: The existing Pune Municipal Corporation is struggling to keep up with the rising population and demands for services in the eastern suburbs. This has led to poor civic amenities such as water shortages and inadequate road infrastructure.
### Reasons Behind the Need for New Municipal Corporations
Overburdened Infrastructure: The existing civic bodies, PMC and PCMC, are struggling to manage the rapidly increasing population and infrastructure demands. Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe highlighted that local residents and elected representatives are in favor of the new municipal corporations to improve civic infrastructure. The growth of these areas has put a strain on existing resources, and the current systems are unable to manage the demands effectively.
Citizens’ Concerns: Residents in areas like Uruli-Phursungi and parts of Hadapsar have raised concerns about inadequate civic facilities, including poor road conditions, water shortages, unplanned development, and improper waste management. The merger of 34 villages into PMC in recent years has led to an increase in population by about 8 lakh, further compounding these challenges.
Decentralization for Better Governance: Urban planners and experts are advocating for decentralization in municipal governance. Smaller municipal corporations could better manage resources, improve the quality of services, and address the specific needs of rapidly expanding regions. Town planning expert Ramchandra Gohad emphasized that decentralization would make the deployment of municipal staff and resources more efficient, ensuring better service delivery.
### Political and Financial Considerations
Support for the Proposal: Local political leaders, including Chetan Tupe, strongly support the creation of new municipal corporations, stating that the growing population requires better management of civic resources. The expansion of urban areas demands enhanced infrastructure planning, and smaller civic bodies would be more equipped to address local challenges.
Challenges in Implementation: Senior Congress leader Mohan Joshi has raised concerns regarding the financial viability of these proposed municipal corporations. He pointed out that the existing Pune municipal bodies are already facing financial challenges, with key projects such as 24X7 water supply suffering due to inadequate funds. Joshi urged the state and central governments to allocate at least Rs 2,000 crore in the upcoming budget to address these issues and support the existing and new civic bodies in Pune.
The State Government’s Stance: The state government has shown interest in the proposal but is still gathering opinions on the viability of forming additional municipal corporations. No final assessment has been made yet, and discussions are ongoing at various levels of government.
### Conclusion: The Future of Pune’s Urban Governance
As Pune district continues to grow and develop, the demand for efficient civic administration is becoming increasingly urgent. The proposal to form new municipal corporations for Chakan and Hadapsar reflects the need for more localized governance structures that can manage the unique challenges posed by rapid urbanization.
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