With continuous heavy rainfall causing major traffic disruptions and waterlogging in Pune’s Hinjewadi area, the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has appealed to the Maharashtra government, led by Devendra Fadnavis, to enforce compulsory work-from-home (WFH) for tech professionals operating from the region.
The demand was shared by FITE on X (formerly Twitter), alongside visuals showing gridlocked roads and inundated streets in the IT corridor. Their post read, “If you care about IT employees, declare mandatory work from home for Hinjawadi IT Park until the rains subside and during the monsoon.”
The post quickly gained traction online, with many professionals voicing similar concerns and frustrations. Social media users highlighted Pune’s infrastructure shortfalls, which they say are unable to cope with the rising number of IT workers. “Pune infrastructure can’t handle the IT sector’s demands,” one user remarked, while another described their daily commute as a “three-hour nightmare.”
Several netizens emphasized that mandatory WFH isn’t just about convenience—it’s necessary to ensure employee well-being and uninterrupted productivity. “It’s unrealistic to expect quality work from employees who are already exhausted from commuting,” one user stated. Another commented on the irony of how companies, once enthusiastic about remote work during the pandemic, are now imposing strict surveillance measures and linking them to salaries and appraisals.
“Firms made huge profits during COVID by relying on remote work,” a post noted. “Now they treat WFH like a punishable offense and monitor staff with tracking software.”
The India Meteorological Department has predicted intensified rainfall and strong winds across Maharashtra between May 21 and 24, due to a developing cyclonic system over the east-central Arabian Sea. Pune has already witnessed incidents of tree falls and vehicle damage, and the situation is expected to worsen post-May 22.
With worsening conditions and growing public discontent, calls for urgent administrative action are mounting. Employees and citizens alike are now urging the government to prioritize remote work options to alleviate the strain on both infrastructure and individuals.
