Pune: ‘Is It Going Into An Official’s Pocket?’ Aaditya Thackeray Questions Funds Amid Hinjawadi Civic Protest

Pune residents and IT professionals staged a silent protest on Sunday, demanding accountability for years of poor civic infrastructure, inadequate roads, traffic congestion, and insufficient public services. The demonstrators, carrying placards showcasing issues such as potholes, unsafe roads, and poor drainage, questioned why the government continues to make announcements without delivering on its promises.

The protest occurred just days after the state government announced a task force to investigate the situation in Hinjawadi, Maan, and Marunji.

PMRDA's development plan for Hinjawadi allocates ₹55.72 crore for four decongestion roads covering 8.95 km, while ₹203.78 crore has been approved for ten industrial-connectivity road projects spanning 60 km across the region. However, residents argue that similar promises have been made in the past and that these announcements have not brought tangible improvements. FITE president Pawanjit Mane highlighted the need for a holistic approach to address the residents' concerns.

Protesters, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, criticized the government for its handling of the situation. Thackeray accused the administration of corruption and asked for transparency regarding the use of allocated funds. He questioned if the money is being siphoned off or mismanaged. Thackeray emphasized the urgent need for accountability, asserting that the condition of Hinjawadi's infrastructure could have repercussions for the IT sector and the employment of thousands of people.

IT employees echoed these sentiments, lamenting the lack of basic facilities in the area that had grown to become a major IT hub. Gauri, an IT employee, pointed out the absence of proper footpaths, water supply issues, and the need for better drainage and waste management. The protesters demanded concrete solutions, including proper roads, traffic control, reliable water supply, efficient drainage, and improved Metro connectivity.

Resident demands also included strict timelines and regular monitoring of infrastructure development projects, rather than repeated meetings. The administration responded by proposing weekly coordination meetings between agencies and announced plans for the construction of 60 km of drainage, footpaths, and streetlights over the next 18 months.