Pune’s decade-old aspiration to establish a local self-governing body for its eastern areas, potentially named Hadapsar Corporation or East Pune Municipal Corporation (Purva Pune Mahanagarpalika), remains unrealized due to persistent political disagreements among parties. The proposal initially gained momentum during the 2014 state assembly elections but has since been entangled in administrative complexities and divergent political agendas.
In 2014, the state government initiated steps to merge 34 villages with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), gradually expanding its jurisdiction. While 11 villages were integrated in 2017 and 23 more in 2021, this move transformed PMC into Maharashtra’s largest civic body, covering an expansive 518.77 sq km area—an expanse surpassing even the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This merger significantly augmented PMC’s population by approximately 8 lakh, inclusive of its floating population.
The notion of establishing separate municipal corporations gained renewed attention in 2023 when discussions surfaced regarding the potential demerger of Uruli-Phursungi from PMC. Local residents cited inadequate facilities and governance challenges within PMC’s expanded limits as reasons for advocating a separate entity. However, this proposal encountered substantial opposition and failed to materialize, with the state government seeking PMC’s viewpoint on the jurisdictional split. PMC officials have diligently provided comprehensive details about its expanded boundaries to the state government, awaiting a final decision on the matter. Residents from the merged areas have expressed grievances ranging from water scarcity and substandard road infrastructure to ineffective coordination with ward offices, unregulated urban sprawl, burgeoning slums, and inadequate solid waste management practices.
Urban planning experts have endorsed the formation of smaller municipal corporations as a pragmatic solution to streamline governance and enhance service delivery efficiency. They argue that smaller administrative units would foster better civic management tailored to local needs, potentially addressing the longstanding developmental challenges faced by Pune’s eastern periphery. As the proposal for an East Pune Municipal Corporation languishes amid ongoing political wrangling, stakeholders continue to emphasize the urgent need for cohesive governance reforms to alleviate civic issues and promote sustainable urban development in Pune’s burgeoning eastern areas.
