The Maharashtra government has given in-principle approval to a Rs 1,400-crore Chakan infrastructure plan covering roads, drainage and public facilities, while a separate Rs 426-crore package has been prepared to address traffic congestion in Hinjewadi, officials said after a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
Work on the projects is planned to begin in December, according to Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi. The administration has set a target of significantly improving traffic movement and water drainage in Chakan before the next monsoon, with drainage works scheduled for completion by June 2027.
The plans were prepared amid concerns over deteriorating roads, recurring waterlogging and traffic congestion in the two industrial areas. Reports that some companies were considering shifting their units because of infrastructure and mobility problems have added pressure on the administration to coordinate multiple departments and funding sources.
In Chakan, officials said encroachments have obstructed the flow of water through around 78 km of natural drains. During the monsoon, water enters industrial units and disrupts traffic, with some companies having to suspend operations because of waterlogging. The proposed response includes opening the natural drains, building rainwater drainage systems along roads, increasing the capacity of culverts and bridges, and creating water storage systems where required.
The Irrigation Department has identified the drain routes through a survey. Officials said 70-80 per cent of the work to remove encroachments from the drains had been completed, while the remaining obstructions would be removed in phases. Some structures will have to be removed and additional space created in other locations to restore the natural drainage channels. A monsoon drainage system is also proposed along approximately 38 km of roads.
The first phase of road improvement will cover around 75 km in Chakan. The work will include pedestrian paths, rainwater drainage, traffic facilities and road safety measures. Officials said the available road right-of-way would be used and land acquisition would not be required in this phase.
Worker travel is a major contributor to congestion in the area. A large number of employees commute to Chakan from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, increasing dependence on private vehicles. The administration has prepared a route-wise public transport plan and estimates that approximately 500 additional buses will be required at different locations to serve industrial workers.
The Chakan industrial area’s water supply scheme is expected to be completed in 2027. A proposal has also been made to transfer implementation of the scheme from the Chakan Industries Association to the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. Work on a 100 MVA power substation is scheduled to begin in December.
For Hinjewadi, six acres of land has been made available to address power supply-related issues. The process of deploying 100 Maharashtra Security Force personnel for traffic and other management is underway. In Chakan, 100 personnel are expected to be available for traffic management from October 1.
The state has also proposed an artificial intelligence-based enforcement system for traffic management across Chakan, Talegaon and Hinjewadi. Traffic monitoring and action against violations will be carried out through the Command and Control Centre in coordination with the traffic police. Approval has additionally been given for a CCTV-based Intelligent Traffic Management System. The next scheduled milestones are the proposed start of works in December, the deployment of personnel in October and completion of the Chakan drainage works by June 2027.
