Pune’s regional development authority is preparing a comprehensive economic growth strategy that is expected to be finalised within the next three to four months, signalling a major shift towards long-term, sustainable and inclusive planning for one of India’s fastest-growing urban regions. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has initiated the process of selecting an agency that will design the roadmap, covering an expansive 6,246 sq km jurisdiction and aligning future development with existing infrastructure and evolving demographic needs.
Officials said the plan aims to harness Pune’s well-established industrial base and expanding technology ecosystem to create a more resilient and diversified economy. A senior PMRDA representative noted that applications have been invited from private and semi-government institutions to prepare the blueprint, with the selected team expected to provide an integrated vision for the next phase of regional development. The emphasis, according to officials, will be on forward-looking interventions that promote manufacturing growth, innovation clusters, green energy transitions and tourism-led development. A core component of the upcoming plan is a baseline economic assessment that will map sector-wise employment trends, emerging opportunities and structural challenges. Industry experts say this step is crucial, as Pune’s rapid urbanisation and population growth require carefully coordinated planning to avoid infrastructure strain and widening inequities. The region’s increasing appeal to Global Capability Centres (GCCs), advanced manufacturing units and clean-energy firms makes it essential to strengthen mobility, housing and environmental resilience in tandem with economic expansion.
The proposed blueprint will also require the agency to identify the region’s strongest economic drivers and prioritise sectors with the highest potential for sustainable growth. Officials indicated that the final document is expected to include clearly defined projects backed by financial feasibility assessments and phased implementation schedules. These timelines would be designed to align with state and national investment priorities, including the central government’s focus on building future-ready cities that can support long-term economic productivity. The initiative comes as the central government and NITI Aayog work with major Indian cities to shape next-generation growth strategies. Pune has been identified as one of eight to ten key urban centres expected to act as national economic engines in the coming decades. Similar plans are already under preparation for regions such as Surat and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with a focus on sectors like affordable housing, connectivity, logistics, and specialised industry clusters.
Urban planners view PMRDA’s move as an important opportunity to embed sustainability into the region’s growth model. Experts stressed that Pune’s next economic chapter must combine industrial expansion with low-carbon mobility, inclusive housing and stronger environmental safeguards. As the plan moves towards finalisation, the focus will remain on creating a more equitable, climate-resilient and economically competitive metropolitan region.
Pune To Finalise Comprehensive Economic Growth Masterplan Within Next Three To Four Months
