Pune: Industrial Hub Pimpri-Chinchwad Drowning; 90 Companies Suffer Heavy Losses Due to Rainwater Entering Their Premises

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 8th July 2025: Rainwater has entered the industrial zones under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), particularly affecting the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporations (MIDC) in Bhosari and Chinchwad. A total of 90 company premises across these MIDC areas have been flooded. This has caused significant financial losses as machinery, goods, and equipment have been exposed to water, stalling operations.

The worst-affected areas include the T and J blocks of Bhosari MIDC and the D-2 block of Chinchwad MIDC. Business owners have blamed the PCMC and MIDC for negligence. Some have constructed boundary walls and installed water pumps to mitigate flooding.

There are approximately 16,000 small-scale industries in Pimpri-Chinchwad MIDC areas, employing over 7 lakh people. These units manufacture a wide range of products, including critical spare parts for domestic and international markets. More than 90 units have reported water intrusion. Waterlogging, sometimes up to four feet, has caused machinery breakdowns and halted production due to short-circuit risks. This issue has persisted for the past two years. While MIDC handles water supply, PCMC collects taxes, both agencies continue to shift blame.

Industrialists argue that despite paying lakhs in taxes, basic infrastructure like drainage and waste management is lacking. Increasing commercial constructions have led to narrow roads and encroached drains. Poor desilting and inadequate rainwater drainage have worsened the problem. Many companies are situated below road level, causing rainwater to flow directly into their units.

Abhay Bhor, President of the Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, said, “Deliveries are getting delayed. The integrated sewage treatment project is stalled. Entrepreneurs pay hundreds of crores in taxes, but both PCMC and MIDC continue to pass the buck.”

Sandeep Belsare, President of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Scale Industry Organisation, added, “Drains have narrowed due to encroachments. Cleaning hasn’t been properly done. As a result, water enters the units and halts work. Machinery gets damaged.”

H-Ward Officer Pooja Dudhnale stated, “We conducted a site inspection. Three companies are located directly on the drain, and slabs placed over drains have obstructed cleaning. These companies have been given a 15-day notice to remove the encroachments, failing which PCMC will take action.”

MIDC Executive Engineer Nitin Wankhede clarified, “The T and J blocks have been handed over to PCMC. Hence, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of drains is now their responsibility.”