Maharashtra Government Sanctions Funds for Development in 23 Merged Areas Under PMC, Uruli Phursungi

The Maharashtra state government has approved ₹5 crore for urban development works in each of the 23 areas that were merged into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Uruli Phursungi municipal limits. The announcement was made following a special meeting of the Urban Development Department (UDD), chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and UDD Minister Eknath Shinde.

According to UDD, the meeting was convened to address a range of civic infrastructure concerns reported in the newly merged areas. Among the key issues discussed were waste disposal challenges and water supply deficiencies, which have remained unresolved for several months following the administrative merger.

Officials acknowledged complaints from residents about the persistent odour from the garbage depot located at Ambegaon Budruk. The depot has become a point of concern for citizens of surrounding areas including Ambegaon Khurd, Mangadewadi, Bhilarewadi, Koliwade, and Gujar Nimbalkarvadi.

In response, PMC and Uruli Phursungi officials have been directed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the garbage depot and implement scientific waste management practices. As per the UDD’s directive, this will include adopting vermicomposting methods, setting up proper segregation pits, and ensuring controlled disposal of waste. The objective is to streamline solid waste management in a way that is consistent with health and sanitation norms.

The local residents, along with elected representatives, had submitted a proposal requesting the supply of treated water from the Jambhulwadi reservoir to their respective villages. The reservoir, located within PMC limits, has a storage capacity of 65 million cubic feet and is seen as a potential supplementary source for water-starved localities.

According to department officials, this request will now be evaluated by the planning and engineering departments under PMC for technical and logistical feasibility. If approved, it will bring relief to several localities currently facing inconsistent municipal water supply.

The ₹5 crore allocation per merged area is part of the initial phase of development expenditure aimed at bringing the newly added zones on par with core urban regions in terms of infrastructure. The UDD clarified that these funds will be used for road improvement, drainage works, street lighting, and strengthening of water distribution systems. The civic administration will monitor fund utilisation and ensure timely execution of priority projects.

UDD officials also confirmed that regular review meetings will be conducted to track progress, with particular focus on areas where civic complaints remain high. Local bodies have been instructed to submit progress reports and expenditure statements every quarter.

The merger of these areas into PMC and Uruli Phursungi was completed in phases between 2021 and 2023. While the administrative integration has been completed, many of the localities have yet to see full-scale civic development due to funding gaps, legacy infrastructure constraints, and delays in policy implementation.

This recent funding approval marks a step towards closing that gap and establishing uniform civic standards across newly integrated zones. Local planning authorities have been told to prioritise basic services and submit revised development plans where required.

With the allocation now in place, the focus will shift to execution. The civic bodies are expected to float tenders for various works in the coming weeks. State officials have said that any delay in utilisation of sanctioned funds will be reviewed at the ministerial level, with further disbursements to be linked to performance metrics.

The UDD has also recommended a decentralised approach in execution, involving ward officers and engineers from the respective regions to ensure better coordination and responsiveness to local requirements.