Special Correspondent
Pune : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has ordered officials to file criminal cases under IPC Section 353 (obstruction of government work) against individuals blocking government roads in Pune’s Hinjawadi area. “Don’t listen to anyone. Arrest whoever stands in the way. This won’t get resolved otherwise,” he asserted firmly during an early morning review visit to the IT hub.
Pawar began his inspection at 6 AM on Sunday, focusing on resolving traffic congestion and infrastructural issues in the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park area. Officials informed him about locals obstructing government roads, to which he responded with tough instructions: “If someone’s private land is involved, pay compensation. But if it’s government-owned land, there’s no question of paying again.”
He further instructed: “Don’t make narrow roads—build wide ones, go for four-lane roads.”
During a high-level meeting at the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) office, Pawar emphasized the urgency of creating uninterrupted, high-speed traffic corridors to boost the IT sector in Hinjawadi. He directed officials to propose new road routes where necessary.
The meeting was attended by MLA Shankar Mandekar, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, PMRDA Additional Commissioner Deepak Singla, Additional Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Joint CP Shashikant Mahavarkar, Chief Engineer Rinaz Pathan, and other senior officials.
Addressing waterlogging problems caused by encroachments around natural streams and blocked drains in Hinjawadi and surrounding areas, Pawar ordered immediate and strict action. He instructed the widening of roads to ensure smooth traffic flow and boost local businesses.
Pawar also highlighted the need for alternative road planning in Hinjawadi, Marunji, and Maan areas to relieve traffic congestion. He demanded urgent repairs of damaged roads and demolition of illegal constructions over natural water channels. He asked for an investigation into who altered the natural flow of drains and ordered strong punitive measures.
Additionally, the Deputy CM instructed PMRDA to clear natural water paths and submit a detailed report on proposed new roads and pending infrastructure works. Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase gave a presentation on the current road developments and ring road projects in the region.
