The Hinjawadi Industries Association’s claim that 37 companies have departed from the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, over the past decade has sparked a political controversy. However, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has firmly refuted these assertions, demanding substantiation from the association while revealing conflicting perspectives on the state of affairs.
According to sources within MIDC, there is a notable discrepancy regarding the availability of space within the IT park for new entrants. They contend that the rejection of applications from new firms is not due to companies vacating premises but rather a scarcity of vacant space. MIDC officials emphasize that no significant exodus of companies has occurred recently, attributing closures to individual financial challenges or strategic relocations to more cost-effective locations.
The MIDC’s stance is bolstered by its proactive steps, including a formal request to the Industries Association for a comprehensive list of the alleged departed companies—a request that has been met with reluctance from the association, which has declined to furnish the requested information. This exchange underscores the divergent narratives surrounding Hinjawadi’s business landscape, complicating efforts to ascertain the true extent of company movements within the park.
Despite assertions of stability from MIDC, concerns persist over the park’s infrastructure. Established a quarter-century ago, Hinjawadi IT Park, now accommodating 139 IT companies with over 2,17,412 employees, faces critical shortcomings in basic amenities. Issues such as inadequate road networks, water supply, electricity availability, and solid waste management plague the park, leading to frequent traffic congestion and operational disruptions.
While the park has undergone expansions in recent years, the enhancement of infrastructural facilities has failed to keep pace, resulting in strained resources and deteriorating conditions for existing businesses. The lamentable state of older infrastructure further exacerbates these challenges, with narrow, deteriorating roads contributing to daily traffic snarls—a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive infrastructural upgrades.
As stakeholders await a high-level governmental deliberation on these pressing issues, the future trajectory of Hinjawadi IT Park remains uncertain amidst conflicting reports and infrastructure deficiencies that threaten its viability as a premier IT hub.
