Pune: PMRDA commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari on Saturday directed officials to fast-track pre-monsoon works across Hinjewadi and its surrounding areas.The directives focus on desilting drains, removing encroachments from natural water channels, and completing urgent road repairs to prevent flooding and traffic congestion.Chaudhari conducted a detailed site inspection of Hinjewadi, Maan, and Marunji, accompanied by Bhor-Rajgad-Mulshi MLA Shankar Mandekar and senior officials. He issued a strict mandate to the administration to complete all preparations within a fixed timeline across the Hinjewadi–Maan–Marunji–Bhugaon–Pirangut belt.These areas have historically suffered from severe waterlogging due to poor road conditions and clogged nullahs. The commissioner ordered that all natural water bodies be cleared of illegal encroachments and desilted before the first rain. Additionally, stormwater drainage work at Nande Chowk has been marked as a high priority.Given the heavy vehicular movement in Hinjewadi IT Park and nearby industrial areas, discussions were held on expediting the development of the key link road from the Mercedes showroom on National Highway 48 to Hinjewadi Phase I. The team also reviewed road widening and development works at Laxmi Chowk, Kolte-Patil Road and the Nerhe-Dattawadi-Jambe stretch.Chaudhari also inspected the ongoing PMRDA ‘Pride Road’ project and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work.“Roads, drains, and stormwater management systems in IT parks and adjoining residential areas must be fully functional before the monsoon,” Chaudhari stated. “Instructions have been issued following this ground review to ensure citizens and commuters do not face hardship.”The urgency follows severe flooding of the Hinjewadi IT hub last monsoon. Heavy rain had left Phase III waterlogged for hours, crippling traffic and forcing thousands of IT employees to opt for work-from-home.The situation was so critical that it prompted intervention from the chief minister’s office (CMO), which directed agencies like PMRDA and MIDC to conduct a detailed hydraulic study. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously indicated plans for a “single-point authority” to resolve the persistent infrastructure gaps and drainage failures in the Hinjewadi belt.During the visit, local representatives from seven surrounding villages met the commissioner to raise recurring civic grievances. Chaudhari assured them that these issues would be addressed on a priority basis.
