Pune: Days after industrialists from Chakan raised concerns over poor infrastructure in their MIDC, industry groups in Pimpri Chinchwad approached the state government to demand solutions to their own long-pending issues. They also demanded the Pimpri Chinchwad MIDC be made the sole agency tasked with fixing all infrastructure problems in the city’s industrial areas.Pimpri Chinchwad has more than 5,000 small and medium-scale enterprises, across Bhosari, Pimpri, Talawade and parts of Kudalwadi and Chikhali, members of the industry groups said. On Aug 18, representatives of Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association met state industries minister Uday Samant in Mumbai to submit their demands. The Association sought withdrawal of Local Body Tax (LBT) notices issued to industrialists, claiming the notices included interest and penalties despite payments. It also sought an early decision on the T-201 rehabilitation project, under which 144 small industrialists had paid booking and tender fees for industrial premises.“We sought a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and a facility for collection and disposal of hazardous industrial waste. We also demanded immediate resurfacing of internal roads in Bhosari MIDC, sectors 7 and 10, Kudalwadi, Chikhali and Talawade, along with an underground drainage network,” said Sandeep Belsare, president of Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association.The Association also sought land from MIDC for six new MSEDCL substations, citing frequent power breakdowns and an ageing distribution network. It raised concerns over unauthorised slums and scrap shops on MIDC land, encroachment on natural drains and alleged harassment by unauthorised mathadi worker organisations. It also asked for regular police patrolling in the industrial areas.Belsare said these issues have been unresolved despite repeated requests, adding that Samant, during the meeting, told officials to form a joint committee of relevant PCMC departments, along the lines of the committee that has been formed for Chakan.Separately, the Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, another industry body active in PCMC limits, has written a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis and Industries Minister Uday Samant demanding that MIDC be made the single authority responsible for roads, streetlights, drainage, rainwater disposal, waste management and cleanliness in Pimpri Chinchwad’s industrial areas.Forum president Abhay Bhor urged CM Devendra Fadnavis and Samant to transfer these responsibilities from PCMC to MIDC, alleging that the civic body has failed to provide basic infrastructure despite collecting taxes from industries.“Industrial areas are the pillar of the city’s economy and employment. Industries regularly pay taxes, but do not receive basic facilities. PCMC’s complete neglect of industrial areas is evident,” Bhor said.The Forum also alleged that the PCMC’s dedicated Industry Cell, established after repeated demands from industrialists, has not held regular meetings for nearly two years, adding that industry owners often find themselves caught between PCMC and MIDC whenever they have complaints, leading to “unclear accountability and delays”.The Forum sought a single authority for industrial infrastructure and maintenance, along with a dedicated action plan for roads, drainage, streetlights, waste management and rainwater disposal.
