Pune Municipal Corporation Forms Committee to Enhance Coordination and Expedite Pending Projects in Merged Areas

Pune, 10th July 2023: In response to concerns raised by elected members from various political parties regarding infrastructure work in the merged areas, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will establish a 12-member committee to improve work coordination and expedite pending projects. The formation of this committee follows a notification issued by the state government in June, granting the committee special monitoring powers over civic work in the merged areas.

Vikram Kumar, Administrator of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), explained, “The committee members will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the infrastructure work in these areas. Based on their suggestions and objections, we will prioritize and carry out the pending projects and other necessary work.”

As outlined in the notification from the Urban Development Department, the committee will be chaired by the Divisional Commissioner and will review the allocation of funds and the financial requirements for the projects in the 34 merged areas. Each committee member will be assigned responsibility for two to three specific merged areas. Former elected members of the respective areas, including ex-corporators, will also be part of this panel. These former members have raised issues such as inadequate water supply, lack of basic infrastructure like roads, improper garbage disposal, and insufficient drainage and sewage treatment in the merged areas. They have also demanded increased funding for the development of these areas and have expressed their concerns by writing a letter to the Chief Minister’s office, prompting the formation of the committee.

However, certain activists have raised objections to the establishment of this panel, claiming that the authorities did not follow the proper process for its formation and asserting that the current setup of the civic body lacks legal backing.

PMC authorities, on the other hand, have clarified that the state government directed the formation of this committee as a special measure to address the specific challenges faced in the merged areas. They emphasized that the committee’s primary objective is to streamline coordination and accelerate the completion of pending projects, ensuring the efficient development of these regions.

The committee is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the infrastructural needs of the merged areas and enabling effective decision-making to enhance the overall development and well-being of the residents.