In a significant development, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar inaugurated seven crucial projects in Pimpri Chinchwad on Friday. Among the initiatives was the launch of road sweeping machines, bringing in 16 foreign vehicles to mechanize the process of keeping the district’s roads clean.
The projects encompass a spectrum of essential facilities, including the newly established YCM Hospital catering specifically to resident doctors in Pimpri. Additionally, a Divyang Bhavan designed for individuals with disabilities in Morwadi, a domestic waste processing unit in Kasarwadi, and a waste management transfer station in Kalewadi were among the projects officially opened by Pawar.
While some of these projects had been completed earlier, their official launch was delayed as the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) aimed to invite the chief minister or deputy chief minister to preside over the opening ceremonies.
The mechanical road sweeping project, announced as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2022, marked a significant step towards addressing environmental concerns. However, delivery delays, attributed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other issues, hindered the import of vehicles from Italy.
Currently, manual laborers from a third-party organization handle road cleaning within PCMC limits. The civic body plans to invest Rs 328.95 crore over a seven-year period to mechanize the cleaning of 670.15 km of roads, as per the NCAP guidelines.
During his visit, Ajit Pawar underscored the importance of establishing a new civic body for areas bordering Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune. He emphasized the need for municipal corporations in Alandi, Chakan, Dehu, Rajgurunagar, and Wagholi, taking into account the increasing population in these regions. The planning is geared towards meeting the anticipated needs of the next fifty years.
