Pune: Hinjawadi Residents, IT Employees Protest Over Potholes, Traffic; Aaditya Thackeray Joins March
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi & Priyanshu Banerjee
Hinjawadi, 6th September 2026: A large number of residents, villagers and IT professionals took to the streets in Hinjawadi on Sunday, raising concerns over pothole-ridden roads, traffic congestion and inadequate civic infrastructure in one of the country’s prominent IT hubs.
The protest march, organised by the Smart City Sankalp Morcha Committee, began from Infosys Circle in Hinjawadi Phase 1. Residents and employees from Hinjawadi, Marunji and Mhalunge participated in the demonstration, demanding immediate action on several long-pending civic issues.
The protesters highlighted poor road conditions, deep potholes, a lack of proper footpaths, irregular garbage collection and inadequate water supply. They also demanded the commencement of Metro services in the area, stating that improved public transport connectivity was crucial for thousands of daily commuters working in the IT corridor.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray joined the protest and said the demonstration was not merely a political movement but a collective voice of residents and IT employees demanding basic civic facilities.
“Today, I protested in the IT sector area. What you see here is residents and IT employees coming together to protest. We are raising very basic demands: roads without potholes, proper footpaths, starting the Metro, which is ready, timely waste collection, and adequate water supply. If you cannot provide these basic facilities in 2026, what kind of regime is this?” Thackeray said.
Responding to a question about the participation and concerns of young people across the country, Thackeray said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was taking note of issues affecting students and youth.
“Absolutely, I believe Rahul Ji is taking note of the situation everywhere, conducting such programmes and amplifying the voice of students and young people across the country,” he said.
Social activist and protest organiser Sachin Londhe said the agitation reflected the frustration of people who live and work in the rapidly developing IT corridor. He said that despite Hinjawadi being known globally as a major technology hub, residents and employees continue to struggle with basic infrastructure issues on a daily basis.
Londhe said the protest was aimed at ensuring that authorities take the concerns seriously and provide time-bound solutions.
Several IT employees participating in the march also expressed frustration over their daily commute, particularly during the monsoon. Many pointed out that poor roads, water-filled potholes and severe traffic congestion significantly increase travel time and affect their quality of life.
Residents, meanwhile, questioned the lack of adequate civic planning despite the rapid expansion of the Hinjawadi IT corridor. Amit Chavan, a local resident associated with the protest, raised concerns about the administrative handling of the area’s civic issues and stressed the need for an effective governance mechanism capable of addressing Hinjawadi’s growing infrastructure demands.
The protesters collectively demanded pothole-free roads, better footpaths, efficient traffic management, regular waste collection, adequate water supply and improved public transport connectivity.
The demonstration brought together people from different professional and social backgrounds, with residents, villagers and IT employees standing united over a common demand: better basic infrastructure for one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing urban corridors.
The protest has once again highlighted the contrast between Hinjawadi’s reputation as a major IT destination and the everyday civic challenges faced by thousands of people who live and work in the area.
