Pimpri Chinchwad's Udyog Sarathi Initiative Fails to Address Industry Grievances

Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) launched the Udyog Sarathi initiative in March this year, aiming to address industrial grievances and improve coordination. However, industrial associations claim that the initiative has failed to bring about any significant changes on the ground.

Representatives of industry associations have reported persistent issues such as poor roads and incomplete drainage networks, despite repeated complaints. Abhay Bhor, president of the Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, stated, “The officials concerned held only two meetings with industry members since the cell was set up. There has been no communication for the last four months.”

Bhor added that during earlier meetings, members raised concerns about inadequate streetlights and CCTV cameras in the MIDC areas, but no action followed. “We were promised monthly meetings, but nothing happened. We still have to approach individual departments for solutions,” he said.

Bhor further noted that the civic body only resolved the issue of waste collection by increasing the number of vehicles and installing sirens on them, but many other concerns remain pending. “The lack of follow-up and communication has left us frustrated,” he added.

Sandip Belsare, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Small Scale Industries Association, echoed similar sentiments. “Most industry members are unaware that this cell exists as the civic body has not created any awareness or shared basic information about it,” he said. Belsare also mentioned that they were promised a dedicated platform like Sarathi to address their concerns, but nothing has materialized.

He recalled a similar initiative launched under the Smart City Mission a few years ago, which also failed to produce concrete results. “The meetings were held, but they did not translate into action,” Belsare said.

There are over 5,000 industrial units in the Pimpri Chinchwad limits. The Udyog Sarathi Cell was intended to serve as a single-window system for seamless communication between PCMC and industries, promoting a business-friendly environment and sustainable growth.

Assistant municipal commissioner Amit Pandit acknowledged the concerns and said, “We will soon hold a meeting with the representatives from industrial associations and ensure that all their pending issues are addressed.” Pandit added that he has sought details about the previous meetings before he took charge of the cell to ensure compliance with the assurances made to the industrialists.

The PCMC, one of the largest municipal corporations in Maharashtra, plays a crucial role in the development and governance of Pimpri Chinchwad. The Udyog Sarathi initiative was part of a broader strategy to enhance the industrial landscape and attract more investments to the region. However, the current feedback from industry leaders suggests that much work remains to be done to achieve these goals.