Pune: Sarpanch and Villagers Resist Hinjawadi Merger With PCMC Over Tax Concerns and Development Delays

Hinjawadi, 28th June 2025: Residents of Hinjawadi have expressed strong opposition to the proposed merger of their village into the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), citing concerns over a steep rise in property taxes. According to Hinjawadi Sarpanch Ganesh Jambhulkar, the current tax rate under the gram panchayat ranges from ₹4.50 to ₹5 per square foot. However, if brought under PCMC’s jurisdiction, that amount could increase to ₹18–₹20 per square foot, a significant burden for local residents.

“While IT professionals commute here from across Pune, we are the ones living in this area and would bear the brunt of the higher taxes,” Jambhulkar noted. He argued that merging with a municipal corporation won’t automatically resolve chronic issues like traffic congestion or waterlogging. “The real solution lies in holding responsible authorities accountable for providing essential services,” he said.

Jambhulkar also pointed out that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) collects half of the tax revenue from Hinjawadi and surrounding areas, which is meant for improving local infrastructure. “If those funds had been used properly, we wouldn’t be seeing repeated problems year after year,” he said.

Highlighting past experiences, he recalled that areas like Wakad and Mahalunge were brought into the PCMC in 1997, yet meaningful development took over 15 years to begin. “Even in 2025, the fundamental civic issues of these areas, such as poor roads and traffic bottlenecks, remain largely unresolved,” he said.

He further revealed that a proposal had been submitted earlier to then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, requesting the formation of an independent municipal council for Hinjawadi and nearby villages. A similar appeal has now been forwarded to the current CM, Devendra Fadnavis. A gram sabha is scheduled this week, where local members will deliberate and decide on the future of the proposed merger. “I stand by the collective decision of our community,” Jambhulkar concluded.