Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 16th August 2026: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Industries Minister Uday Samant on Sunday held a meeting with industrialists from the Chakan-Talegaon industrial belt to address concerns over poor roads, traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure.
The meeting came amid concerns that at least 20 industrial units could shift out of Chakan because of deteriorating infrastructure.
Shinde directed the administration to prioritise the filling of potholes in and around the Chakan MIDC area. Samant later told reporters that all potholes would be repaired by August 31. The administration has also been asked to explore modern repair methods, including pre-cast road panels and geopolymer techno patches, particularly during the monsoon.
14-department committee to monitor infrastructure works
A committee comprising officials from 14 departments, headed by the Pune district collector, will coordinate infrastructure-related works in the Chakan-Talegaon industrial belt.
The district collector has been asked to hold an тАШUdyog DarbarтАЩ every Friday to review issues raised by industrialists and monitor the progress of remedial measures.
Samant also said he would spend a full day in the Chakan-Talegaon industrial area once every two months to directly hear grievances from industrialists.
Action against illegal parking, delayed contractors
The police and MIDC have been directed to take action against illegal roadside parking, which has been identified as a major contributor to congestion in the industrial area.
Until dedicated truck terminals are developed, unused MIDC land will be made available for temporary parking, officials said.
Action will also be taken against vehicles associated with projects spread across large areas if project authorities fail to provide parking facilities as required under their agreements.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing road projects in the industrial belt. Several projects had been approved by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), with the tendering process completed in January.
However, contractors had not commenced some of the works.
Shinde directed authorities to take action against contractors delaying the projects, including blacklisting them where necessary.
Roads, water, power and sewage to be covered under one plan
Shinde called for a comprehensive infrastructure plan covering roads, water supply, electricity, sewage and solid waste management in the industrial belt.
Officials have also been asked to examine the construction of new internal roads, alternative routes and flyovers to ease traffic congestion.
Shinde said the long-pending development plan for Chakan city would be approved soon.
The MIDC will provide land for a solid waste management project, police station, fire station, hospitals and an electricity substation, he said.
New transformer planned by August 31
To address power-related problems faced by industries, a new transformer is planned to be installed by August 31. MIDC will make land available for a new electricity substation.
The administration has also been directed to expedite infrastructure projects and review road works already under way.
Freight corridor, highways expected to improve connectivity
Shinde said improved connectivity through proposed highways and a Dedicated Freight Corridor linking Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ranjangaon and Chakan would support industrial growth and help reduce congestion in the region.
тАЬMaharashtra is the countryтАЩs industrial engine, and Chakan and Talegaon are among the key drivers of that engine. Providing quality infrastructure to industries is a collective responsibility,тАЭ Shinde said, according to officials.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of growing concerns among industries over traffic congestion, pothole-ridden roads and gaps in basic infrastructure in one of MaharashtraтАЩs key industrial belts.
