Pune: MIDC refutes allegations of companies leaving Hinjawadi due to poor infrastructure, traffic issues

The HIA recently claimed that nearly 37 IT companies had left Pune in the past decade due to poor infrastructure and traffic congestion at Hinjewadi.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has refuted claims made by the Hinjawadi Industrial Association (HIA) that 37 companies have moved out of the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in the past decade due to poor infrastructure and traffic congestion, and many more are on the verge of leaving.

“There are indeed traffic issues at Hinjawadi, but no company has specifically raised this issue with MIDC. If such companies exist, the HIA should provide us with their names. Currently, we have no information regarding companies leaving due to specific issues,” the Indian Express quoted an MIDC official as saying.

In response, secretary of the HIA, Yogesh Joshi said they possess a list of company names but are bound not to disclose it. He previously said they have been requesting infrastructure improvements for the past decade without any response.

The MIDC official also mentioned that following the escalation of this issue, all stakeholders convened for discussions agreed to gather comprehensive details about the companies that have relocated over the years.

According to the HIA’s claim, Hinjewadi IT Park, established 25 years ago, now suffers from inadequate infrastructure such as roads, high accommodation costs, water supply issues, inadequate waste management, and electricity shortages. Despite recent expansions accommodating 139 companies, the infrastructure has not kept pace.

The narrow and poorly maintained roads frequently cause traffic jams, prompting many companies, according to the HIA, to relocate to other parts of the state or even outside it.

The MIDC official also mentioned that the roads outside the MIDC region fall under the jurisdiction of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). “To address traffic congestion outside the IT park, PMRDA plans to acquire land for road construction,” he added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant said he would be holding a meeting with the industry association members to address their concerns. He also alleged that the opposition was trying to create a negative narrative citing that companies were shifting out of the IT park because of infrastructure issues.