Pune: Congress Demands Independent Municipal Body for Hinjewadi-Maan-Marunji Belt, Oppose Merger with PCMC

Pune, 4th September 2026: The proposed merger of Hinjawadi, Maan, Marunji, Nere, Jambe and other villages in Mulshi taluka with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has triggered opposition from the Mulshi Taluka Congress Committee, which has instead demanded an independent municipal body for the rapidly urbanising Hinjewadi-Maan-Marunji belt.

The demand was raised by committee president Suresh Parkhi and secretary Sachin Kive, who warned that extending the PCMC limits into Mulshi could gradually erode the taluka’s geographical and political identity.

The Congress said the Hinjewadi-Maan-Marunji belt has developed distinct civic and administrative needs due to the rapid expansion of the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park and the surrounding IT and residential developments. It argued that these requirements would be better addressed through an independent municipal council rather than by adding the villages to an already large municipal corporation.

The process of incorporating the villages into the PCMC has reportedly been underway. The Congress had earlier staged an agitation at Hinjawadi Shivaji Chowk to press for the creation of a separate civic body.

Parkhi said the issue had earlier been brought to the attention of then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Following subsequent developments, the state government has indicated through a government resolution its intention to include the villages in the PCMC.

“We oppose this move. The government must take public sentiment into consideration and reconsider the decision. If it fails to do so, we will launch a public agitation,” Parkhi said.

The Congress pointed out that several villages, including Sus, Bavdhan, Mhalunge, Wakad and Tathawade, have already been incorporated into the PCMC, substantially reducing the eastern portion of Mulshi taluka. The proposed inclusion of Hinjawadi and other key villages, it said, could further shrink the taluka and weaken its political representation.

The party also expressed concern that future delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies could affect Mulshi’s representation in the state legislature, district council and panchayat samiti.

The Congress said decisions on civic expansion should not be based solely on urbanisation and revenue potential. It urged the government to consider the rights and aspirations of local residents, Mulshi’s geographical and political identity, and public opinion before taking a final decision.

Parkhi also stressed the need for independent urban planning in the rapidly developing belt. The Congress claimed that rural areas incorporated into municipal corporations often continue to face problems related to roads, water supply, drainage, public transport, waste management and other basic amenities.

“The experience of several rural pockets that were earlier merged into the municipal corporation shows that merely changing the administrative boundary does not guarantee better civic infrastructure,” the committee said.