Pune: The first spell of monsoon rain has once again exposed the crumbling infrastructure of Pune’s IT hub, Hinjewadi. Waterlogged roads after just a few minutes of rain have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, with former MLA and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President Mohan Joshi calling the situation “a matter of shame” for the BJP-led Maharashtra government.
In a press statement, Joshi said, “It is the government’s responsibility to prioritize easing traffic congestion and ensuring basic civic amenities in the IT park area. However, there’s been a complete failure. Many companies are now shifting out of Pune due to poor infrastructure. IT professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to reside here, with many housing societies forced to bring in water from private sources.”
Joshi also pointed out past governance failures, recalling that during the second COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, the University Road flyover was demolished, but authorities failed to build a timely alternative. This, he said, caused severe inconvenience for residents of Aundh, Pashan, Baner, and Balewadi. “Despite the hardship faced by the public, the BJP government showed no urgency or concern,” he added.
Criticizing the sluggish progress of the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi Metro line, Joshi alleged that BJP leaders are more interested in photo opportunities through repeated ground-breaking ceremonies than actual project execution.
He praised former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for pioneering India’s IT revolution, which paved the way for hubs like Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Joshi credited senior leaders like Sharad Pawar, Sushilkumar Shinde, and Prithviraj Chavan for laying the foundation of civic infrastructure in Hinjewadi to attract entrepreneurs and IT firms.
“During Congress rule in the Pune Municipal Corporation, we offered real incentives to support the IT sector. But ever since the BJP came to power in 2014, the growth has stalled. Instead of moving forward, Pune’s IT sector has taken a hit,” Joshi concluded.
