Mumbai, August 17, 2026 | INFRAINTEL Bureau
The Maharashtra government has acknowledged serious infrastructure deficiencies in Pune’s Chakan industrial belt following growing concern among companies over damaged roads, traffic congestion and inadequate civic facilities. A high-level committee has been constituted to coordinate remedial measures and address the grievances of industries within a fixed timeframe.
The government’s intervention follows reports that at least 20 companies were considering shifting their manufacturing operations from the Chakan Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area to Khandala in Pune district. Persistent traffic congestion and poor infrastructure were cited as the main reasons behind the proposed relocation.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted on Friday that the industrial area was facing significant infrastructure-related problems and assured industries that corrective measures would be taken. Industries Minister Uday Samant subsequently visited Chakan on Sunday and held discussions with senior government officials and representatives of industrial associations. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Shinde directed the administration to give immediate priority to repairing potholes and easing traffic congestion. As conventional road repairs remain difficult during the monsoon, he advised officials to use modern solutions such as precast systems and geo-polymer techno-patch technology.
The MIDC will provide land for a solid-waste management facility, police station, fire station and electrical substation. The state government has also indicated that Chakan city’s development plan will be approved at the earliest.
The Pune district collector has been appointed the nodal officer for addressing problems affecting industries and local residents in the Chakan–Talegaon belt. Various government departments will work under the collector’s supervision to implement an integrated infrastructure development plan.
Officials have been instructed to introduce short-, medium- and long-term measures for managing traffic and improving industrial infrastructure. The government has also warned that action will be taken against contractors who deliberately delay projects or fail to complete assigned work within the stipulated period.
To resolve electricity-related issues, the state-owned Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited, or Mahatransco, is expected to install a new transformer by August 31. The MIDC will separately provide land for developing a new electrical substation.
The government expects the proposed Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ranjangaon and Chakan MIDC to strengthen industrial logistics. The proposed highway connecting Uran, Karjat, Rajgurunagar, Shirur and Pune is also expected to improve regional connectivity and reduce traffic pressure in Chakan.
Immediate work has reportedly begun to repair potholes, strengthen road shoulders, remove accumulated waste and regulate parking across the industrial belt. Portions of an already sanctioned 27-kilometre concrete road project have been completed. An additional 17 to 18 kilometres of road development could be approved on priority based on requirements identified by industrial associations and residents.
According to a Government Resolution issued on August 14, the high-level committee will oversee road repairs, traffic management and the time-bound resolution of industrial grievances. The government has fixed a 10-month deadline for completing the planning, approval, coordination and implementation process.
The resolution has also noted that new industries and Global Capability Centres are being established across Chakan and Pune district, while several proposals remain pending before different government departments for approvals and clearances.
The issue has also assumed political significance. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar urged the state government to take immediate steps to retain industries and protect employment. He described the reported decision of 20 companies, employing more than 2,000 workers, to relocate as a serious matter. Pawar also proposed a dedicated single-window mechanism for resolving industrial grievances.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who visited the area on Saturday, claimed that nearly 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities could be affected if the companies shifted their operations. He blamed the situation on infrastructure failures, corruption, administrative inefficiency and poor coordination among government departments.
The controversy comes amid concerns over data presented in Parliament indicating that 36,211 private companies in Maharashtra closed during the past five years. The government’s latest intervention appears aimed at restoring industry confidence and preventing further movement of manufacturing units out of the Chakan industrial belt.