#UNCLOG_Hinjawadi_IT_Park: Pune Citizens Demand Urgent Merger with Municipal Corporation to End Daily Commute Chaos

Hinjawadi, 22nd June 2025: In a powerful online petition that has already gained significant traction, thousands of IT professionals, commuters, and residents of Hinjawadi and its adjoining areas are urging the Maharashtra Government to address the escalating infrastructure crisis in Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park.

The petition, spearheaded by Sachin Londhe of the Wakad-Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Development and Welfare Association, demands the immediate merger of Hinjawadi and Maan villages with either the Pune or Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

“We are not asking for luxuries. We are asking for our basic right to a decent quality of life,” said Sachin Londhe, who launched the petition on Change.org under the campaign #UNCLOG_Hinjawadi_IT_Park. “For over two decades, lakhs of professionals have suffered due to poor planning, daily traffic nightmares, and unlivable conditions. It’s time for action, not excuses.”

The Daily Struggle: A System Failure in a Global Tech Hub

Despite being home to one of India’s largest IT clusters spread over 2,800 acres, Hinjawadi is plagued by crippling traffic, pothole-ridden roads, severe waterlogging during monsoon, poor night visibility, and failed governance. The situation worsens every year, affecting thousands of professionals commuting from Pune City, Wakad, Bavdhan, Baner, Chinchwad, Pimple Saudagar, Bhosari, and even Talegaon and Katraj.

“It takes me nearly two hours to travel just 10 kilometers from Wakad to Phase 2 of the IT Park,” said Londhe. “The roads are either dug up, flooded, or simply unpassable. We feel abandoned.”

Demands from the Ground Up: Merge and Reform

The core demand of the petition is administrative reform — a merger of Hinjawadi, Maan, and adjacent areas with either PMC or PCMC. Currently under the Gram Panchayat model and managed in parts by MIDC, PMRDA, PWD, and local panchayats, the lack of a unified urban governance body has led to infrastructural chaos and overlapping responsibilities.

“We have reached a point where no single authority takes ownership. Every agency blames another for the mess,” Londhe explained. “A merger with PMC or PCMC will bring proper planning, accountability, and integrated urban services.”

A Call for Infrastructure Overhaul

The petition outlines comprehensive and practical solutions, including:

• Flyover and underpass construction at key choke points like Laxmi Chowk, Wipro Circle, and Bhumkar Chowk
• Last-mile metro connectivity and improved PMPML bus frequency
• Intelligent traffic management with adaptive signals and real-time monitoring
• Year-round road maintenance and drainage audits to prevent waterlogging
• Proper street lighting and pedestrian walkways
• Waste management reforms and smart city integrations

“We aren’t just complaining. We’re presenting ready solutions. We’ve studied the models from other smart cities and built this petition with inputs from hundreds of citizens and experts,” Londhe added.

Economic Implications: An IT Hub on the Verge

The petition warns of long-term consequences if authorities continue to ignore the crisis:

• Erosion of investor confidence in Maharashtra’s IT corridor
• Relocation of tech companies to better-managed cities and states
• Brain drain as professionals seek opportunities in cities with higher livability indices
• Reduced productivity and health deterioration due to excessive commuting stress
• Reputational damage to Maharashtra’s image as a tech-friendly destination

“Global companies are quietly shifting to Bangalore, Hyderabad, and even Noida,” said Londhe. “If Hinjawadi collapses, it will be a blow to the state’s economy.”

Employee-Friendly Measures Proposed

The petition also recommends workplace-level interventions:

• Mandatory hybrid/remote work during monsoons
• Mandatory carpool cabs facilitated by IT companies
• Phased employee exit timings to ease peak-hour pressure

Appeal to the Chief Minister

The petition is addressed directly to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with copies to key ministers and administrative bodies including Urban Development, PWD, MIDC, PMRDA, and local MLAs and MPs. Londhe and his association have also requested a personal meeting to discuss the proposal.

“We believe in your vision of a developed Maharashtra, Mr Chief Minister,” Londhe said. “But Hinjawadi cannot be left behind. Please give us a chance to present our case face-to-face.”

As of now, the petition is live on Change.org and has garnered thousands of signatures in just a few days. The movement is also gaining support on social media under the hashtag #UNCLOG_Hinjawadi_IT_Park.