Pune: Rs 10,000 Crore Needed for Newly Included Villages In PMC, But No Progress Beyond Committee Meetings

Pune, 19th December 2024: The development of 34 villages recently included in Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) jurisdiction remains stalled as bureaucratic delays and election codes of conduct hinder progress. Despite an estimated ₹10,000 crore being required to address critical infrastructure gaps, neither PMC nor the Divisional Commissioner’s office has submitted a proposal to the state government for funding.

The delay stems from a committee meeting held in June 2024, chaired by the Divisional Commissioner. In this meeting, it was resolved to seek ₹10,000 crore from the state government. However, it has been revealed that not even a formal letter has been sent since then. Officials cite the Lok Sabha and Assembly election codes of conduct as the reason for inaction, raising concerns about administrative inefficiency.

The Maharashtra state government had included 11 villages within PMC limits in 2017 and added 23 more in 2021. Following the 2017 inclusion, PMC requested ₹2,000 crore from the government for development. After the 2021 expansion, the demand rose to ₹6,000 crore. Yet, no grants have been provided to date.

Due to PMC’s limited revenue streams, funds for essential infrastructure projects such as roads, drainage systems, water supply, and healthcare remain unavailable. These villages, now part of the city limits, continue to suffer from inadequate civic amenities.

In the three municipal budgets from 2022-23 to 2024-25, a meager allocation of ₹3-4 crore per village was made. However, most of these funds remain unspent, and significant projects remain on paper. For example, the PMC has proposed a ₹3-crore project to improve water drainage systems and rain channels, intending to seek government support.

Meanwhile, ₹100-150 crore has been allocated annually for these villages in the PMC budget, but the unutilized funds are reportedly being diverted to other city wards. This diversion has drawn criticism, with many questioning why the allocated funds are not being spent on the villages’ pressing needs.

Residents of these villages are left grappling with deteriorating roads, insufficient water supply, poor drainage systems, and inadequate healthcare facilities. The lack of concrete action underscores the disparity between urban and peri-urban areas in terms of infrastructure development.

The delay in seeking government funds and implementing projects further highlights the administration’s failure to prioritize the integrated development of these villages. With ₹10,000 crore hanging in limbo, the road ahead for these villages appears as uncertain as ever.