Pune, India – The Hinjewadi IT Park, heralded as one of India’s largest IT clusters with a staggering workforce of over 5 lakh employees, is grappling with a pressing issue the lack of fundamental amenities and infrastructure.
Despite its stature as a prominent IT hub housing numerous multinational corporations, the Hinjewadi IT Park and its surrounding villages have been plagued by persistent infrastructure deficits, posing significant challenges to its burgeoning workforce and the local community alike. Spanning across three phases, the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park has been instrumental in propelling real estate development in its vicinity, giving rise to upscale societies and towers in nearby villages such as Hinjewadi, Mhalunge, Maan, Marunji, Punawale, and Wakad. However, the rapid expansion of the IT sector has outpaced the provision of essential infrastructure, leaving the area’s residents and IT professionals grappling with myriad challenges. The administrative jurisdiction over Hinjewadi and its surrounding areas is divided among various governing bodies, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and Gram Panchayat. Despite this administrative framework, the provision of basic amenities such as water supply, waste management, traffic control, power supply, and security remains woefully inadequate, exacerbating the plight of the local populace.
The disenchantment among IT professionals is palpable, with their substantial contributions to the local economy juxtaposed against the glaring absence of essential infrastructure. Prominent roads in the area lack pavements, with unauthorised vendors encroaching upon existing walkways, posing hazards to pedestrians and exacerbating traffic congestion. Moreover, the safety and security of women employees, a critical concern in today’s corporate landscape, have been overlooked, further underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures by elected representatives. In light of these persistent challenges, there is a growing sense of scepticism among IT professionals regarding the efficacy of elected representatives in addressing their grievances and fulfilling their expectations. As Hinjewadi grapples with its infrastructure woes, urgent interventions are warranted to alleviate the hardships faced by its residents and sustain the region’s economic vibrancy and growth trajectory.
