Fighting over issues like traffic, security, power and infrastructure, Pune based Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA) has demanded better facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park (RGIP) in Hinjewadi. Thousands of software professionals working in various IT companies in the RGIP are hosting series of activities over the next three months to grab the attention of stakeholders.
Many software professionals working in various IT companies in the RGIP, Hinjewadi today protested for better infrastructure, better traffic management, enhanced power supply and security as a part of 'Hinjewadi First’ drive.
Speaking on the occasion Mritunjay Singh, President, HIA said, "Hinjewadi First is an initiative that intends to gain the attention of the stake holders of the state and the city through a series of activities planned over the next three months highlighting the need of improvement in Hinjewadi area with a vision to make it a real world class IT destination".
According to HIA, Hinjewadi has a huge contribution of around 40 per cent in Maharashtra's total IT exports worth $ 10 billion (Rs that is around US $ 4 billion and having created employment opportunities for around three lakh individuals in the city, Hinjewadi deserves better.
"We get adequate support from the government for specific problems raised but the time has come to look at the growth potential of the area. We have already approached to Ajit Pawar deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Industry minister Narayan Rane and several bureaucrats. Pawar has assured us about the improvement of roads and transport. Looking at the growth potential these figures are likely to double in the next 3 years and to cater to this growth, we need to take a proactive approach in developing infrastructure, power, security and traffic on an urgent basis", he added.
According to Singh, this growth can be well planned and structured if a dedicated and competent authority is created by the Government to develop a proper plan for developing Hinjewadi and Pune as an IT hub, which is now taking a long route because multiple agencies are required to be dealt with for resolving issues. An option could be to develop this area as a business district under an independent authority.
HIA is looking for completion of fire station at Phase-III, development of more connecting rods from RGIP to Balewadi and Baner to ease the traffic flow, improvement of public transport, increasing the water storage capacity by 5000 cubic meters along with an alternate water line from Kasarsai Dam, improvement in pumping facilities and changing the old water line to new for reducing the downtime of water supply to RGIP. HIA is expecting a proper and integrated development approach looking at the growth potential of IT in the city and specifically in Hinjewadi. Apart from forming the human chains of IT professionals outside their offices, many more activities are planned by HIA for the purpose mentioned above.
