Pune’s Hinjewadi IT Park, known as the home to thousands of tech professionals and a major engine of Maharashtra’s economy, is at risk of losing its status as a leading tech hub in Maharashtra. On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that if urgent infrastructure issues aren’t resolved, the entire IT cluster could shift to Bengaluru or Hyderabad. His emotional outburst and stern instructions to officials underscore growing concerns that years of civic neglect, traffic chaos, and policy inaction are pushing investors and companies away from Pune.
“We are ruined. The entire IT park of Hinjewadi is moving out. It’s going out of my Pune, out of Maharashtra to Bengaluru.”
— DCM Ajit Pawar’s angry outburst during visit
What’s Happening in Hinjewadi?
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited Pune’s Hinjewadi IT hub for the second time in just two weeks, expressing deep concern that if infrastructure issues aren’t addressed urgently, major IT companies might relocate to Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
Accompanied by top officials from PMC, PMRDA, district administration, and police, Pawar conducted early morning inspections across Hinjewadi, Maan, Mharunje, and Kasarsai to monitor the progress of ongoing civic work.
Problems Plaguing Hinjewadi’s IT Park
Despite being a high-revenue zone, Hinjewadi faces multiple civic and logistical issues:
Key Issues Reported:
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Severe traffic congestion
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Poor road infrastructure
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Waterlogging
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Encroachments on nullahs and streams
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Resistance from locals to road widening plans
“The Deputy Chief Minister said if infrastructure is not improved in Hinjewadi, then IT companies will move out.”
— Deepali Jhambulkar, Deputy Sarpanch
Pawar’s frustration reached a peak when a local sarpanch tried to dissuade him from expanding a key road to 36 metres. After inspecting the progress of various works, when Pawar was trying to get into his car, the sarpanch attempted to strike up a conversation with him. An angry Pawar said to him,
“You say whatever you want to say. I will hear you out. But I will do what I want… We have lost everything… Hinjewadi IT park is moving out to Hyderabad, Bengaluru… Why should I get up early morning and inspect the works here?.. But there is no alternative to it.”— DCM Ajit Pawar
The Local Villagers’ Perspective
While Pawar insisted on 36-metre-wide roads, local leaders urged him to consider smaller expansions:
“On behalf of the villagers, I was urging the Deputy CM to tell officials to widen the ‘gaothan’ road in Hinjewadi to 18 metres and not to 36 metres. This will help save the lives of nearly 100 families who live along this road. There is a school and also a hospital on this same road.”
— Ganesh Jambhulkar, Hinjewadi Sarpanch“Villagers of Maan, Mharunje, and Hinjewadi have been demanding that the roads in their villages should be widened to 18 metres and not to 36 metres.”
— Archana Adhav, Sarpanch of Maan Village
Stern Warnings from DCM
Like the last visit, Pawar directed PMRDA and the police to act tough against those who created obstructions in road construction.
“Don’t listen to anyone. File cases… Those who obstruct work should be put behind bars. Those whose land is being acquired will get TDR (transfer of development rights). We will do whatever is possible,” he had said. He had also instructed to take action after inspecting streams and nullahs on which encroachments had taken place.”
— Ajit Pawar
According to PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase:
“The Deputy Chief Minister turned up as early as 6 in the morning. For the next two-three hours, he inspected several areas and then held a meeting with officials including those from PMC, PCMC, ZP, MIDC, and police. He directed officials to that narrow roads should be widened as early as possible to ensure smooth passage of traffic and all encroachments on nullahs and streams should be removed. We told him that PMRDA, irrigation department and a private agency are currently conducting a survey of the legal and illegal structures on nullahs and streams after which necessary action will be initiated,”
— Yogesh Mhase
How Will This Impact Maharashtra’s Economy?
The relocation of Hinjewadi’s IT park would have serious repercussions for Maharashtra:
Economic Implications:
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Loss of investment and revenue from high-paying IT firms
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Potential reduction in job opportunities in the Pune region
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A shift in technological innovation and infrastructure development to other states
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Negative investor sentiment about Maharashtra’s readiness to support high-growth industries
Opposition leaders weighed in on the crisis:
“The shifting of industries, deteriorating law and order, poor infrastructure, coupled with traffic woes and the objectionable behaviour of the ministers and the MLAs, has ruined the state.”
— Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress Leader
“I even suggested that until the traffic situation is resolved, companies should be encouraged to allow work from home.”
— Supriya Sule, Baramati MP
Hinjewadi’s rise as a tech hub has been one of Maharashtra’s flagship success stories. But the ongoing civic failures and resistance to infrastructure reforms now threaten to undo decades of progress. As DCM Pawar leads aggressive efforts to save the park, the coming months will decide whether Pune retains its position as a key IT destination—or cedes it to Bengaluru.
