Pune: Chakan firms flag roads, traffic and infra problems

Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant is scheduled to meet industrialists and representatives of industry associations in Chakan on Sunday, August 16, to discuss infrastructure-related problems in the industrial belt.

The meeting follows concerns over poor road conditions and inadequate infrastructure, with industrial representatives warning that some companies could consider shifting operations to other districts or outside Maharashtra.

The Hindustan Times reported that Samant spoke to office-bearers of the Chakan industrial association by telephone on Thursday, August 13, after concerns about the condition of roads in the industrial area were raised.

The meeting is scheduled for 4pm on August 16 in Chakan. Industrialists are expected to raise concerns relating to roads, traffic and other basic infrastructure.

The government is expected to coordinate with the relevant departments to identify measures to address the problems.

“We welcome the decision. This is a positive step and gives us confidence that the long-pending infrastructure and road-related issues will be addressed through coordination between the government and industry,” said Dilip Batwal, member of Federation of Chakan Industries Association.

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has also criticised the state government over the situation, describing it as “extremely serious” and urging it to protect Maharashtra’s position as an industrial state.

“The fact that as many as 20 companies in the Chakan industrial estate have decided to relocate due to issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, water and electricity shortages, and poor road infrastructure is extremely serious. Maharashtra has always been an industry-friendly state. Therefore, industries relocating or shutting down due to inadequate infrastructure is certainly not a matter of pride for our state,” Pawar said in a post on X.

“No matter what the government’s ideology may be, if Maharashtra expects its leaders to uphold the legacy of an ‘industrially advanced Maharashtra’… there is nothing wrong with that,” he added.

Chakan is a major industrial hub in Maharashtra, with a large concentration of automobile and ancillary manufacturing units.

Industry representatives have said continued infrastructure problems could affect existing investments as well as the area’s ability to attract new industries.