Ajit Pawar’s Pune Visit Sparks Opposition Concerns Over Industry Relocation

quick Summary

• Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed concerns during a surprise 6 a.m. visit too Pune’s Hinjewadi area about industries and IT operations, including the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, moving away from Maharashtra to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
• Conducting the visit due to civic infrastructure issues like waterlogging and traffic chaos triggered by monsoon rains, Mr. Pawar confronted local sarpanch Ganesh Jambhulkar with strong remarks: “The entire Hinjewadi IT Park is moving out.”
• The Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park houses over 800 major IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and Tech Mahindra.
• Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government for its alleged failure in maintaining industrial growth in Maharashtra due to poor infrastructure and corruption.He demanded Ajit Pawar take duty or resign.
• Sapkal also cited examples of lost projects like the rs 1.6-lakh-crore Vedanta-Foxconn project shifted to Gujarat underlining declining investor confidence in Maharashtra.
• Hinjewadi Industries Association previously stated that 37 IT companies exited over ten years citing worsening infrastructure issues. NCP leader Supriya Sule had pledged efforts last year to retain remaining businesses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Ajit Pawar’s remarks highlight growing concerns over Maharashtra’s ability to maintain its status as an industrial hub amidst burgeoning competition from states such as Karnataka (Bengaluru) and Telangana (Hyderabad). Repeated migrations of major projects have sparked scrutiny on the state’s infrastructure management-crucial for long-term economic stability.

The root issue seems tied not just to traffic congestion or flooding but broader governance challenges in planning lasting urban development amid rapid expansion needs. While political criticisms are part of predictable debates between opposition parties, they underscore valid concerns about how infrastructural inadequacies can push investments elsewhere if left unaddressed.

Given that Pune’s Hinjewadi area houses pivotal enterprises critical for employment generation within India’s tech industry landscape, proactive collaboration between stakeholders is necessary-possibly including revamped policies targeting better transportation networks, drainage systems during monsoons, or employee conveniences at scale-to prevent further erosion of trust among investors.

Read more: published – July 27, 2025 The Hindu