Behind Ajit Pawar’s outburst: Pune IT Park’s woes, and Mahayuti

A major money spinner for Pune and Maharashtra, the Information Technology hub of Hinjewadi has been grappling with numerous infrastructure problems of late. And, with several IT companies threatening to leave the area for Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the matter has become a pressing concern for the Mahayuti government, inviting criticism from the Opposition.

That the government is not taking this matter lightly became apparent when Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar landed up in Hinjewadi early morning on July 26 to conduct an inspection. When a local sarpanch pleaded with him not to widen a road, saying several families would be affected, Pawar chided him. “If things do not improve, Hinjewadi (IT Park) will move to Bengaluru and Hyderabad,” he said, directing officials to act against anyone attempting to obstruct infrastructure work in the IT hub.