From Industrial Town To National Model: Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Urban Evolution

Over the past three years, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has undertaken a series of reforms aimed at making the city more responsive, sustainable and equitable. Guided by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, the civic body has focused on strengthening basic services, integrating technology into governance, improving inclusivity and aligning urban development with long-term environmental goals.

Cleanliness, citizen participation and waste management

Pimpri-Chinchwad was ranked the cleanest city in Maharashtra and 7th nationally among million-plus cities in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25. The city retained the 7-Star Garbage Free City and Water Plus certifications, following sustained efforts in decentralised waste processing, source segregation, STP reuse and public engagement. Door-to-door awareness, support from schools, housing societies and NGOs, and ward-level microplanning contributed to this performance. “The results reflect consistent effort by all stakeholders — sanitation workers, officials, and citizens. Our focus remains on long-term systems, not rankings,” said Singh.

Digital and data-driven governance

From April 1, 2025, PCMC became fully paperless, with 32,000+ tapals and 3,700+ files processed digitally across 54 departments. A unified GIS-enabled ERP system, integrated with SAP and a Document Management System (DMS), has improved coordination, speed and transparency. The City Hub for Data and Communication (CHDC) supports real-time tracking of services and field data. PCMC’s Smart Sarthi Initiative was awarded silver medal in National e-Governance Awards 2024 by MEITY, GoI.

Health and inclusion

PCMC’s focus on decentralised and accessible healthcare has resulted in over 50 Urban Health and Wellness Centres, Jijau Clinics, Aapla Dawakhanas, etc. A 60-bed Cancer Hospital is under development at Thergaon through PPP, aiming to provide affordable, comprehensive cancer care. PCMC Hospitals have been recently awarded LaQshya Certification by GoI for Thergaon, Akurdi and Bhosari Hospitals. PCMC was also ranked second amongst all cities in Maharashtra for health parameters under NUHM by GoM. The Masulkar Colony Eye Hospital has also been upgraded, improving access to ophthalmic services for underserved communities. The city also launched India’s first municipal Divyang Bhawan, a one-stop centre for persons with disabilities, offering 21 types of therapies and services.

Urban infrastructure and mobility

A dedicated Urban Mobility Department now oversees the city’s mobility planning, junction improvements and EV infrastructure rollout. The city also hosted a Vehicle-Free Day at Shagun Chowk, promoting walkability and public awareness. PCMC has launched a GIS-based Road Asset Management System, a pothole tracking app, and redesigned key stretches to promote non-motorised transport. It was recently awarded the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI) grant, supporting efforts to improve urban cycling facilities. In addition city was also awarded the City with Best Non-Motorised Transport at UMI 2023 announced by MoHUA, GoI.

Recognition and forward planning

Pimpri-Chinchwad continues to receive recognition from national and international institutions for its reforms and innovations across sectors. Earlier this year, PCMC was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Administrative Agility Award and ranked second in the CM’s 100-Day Midterm Review, evaluated across governance, traffic management, grievance redressal, and sanitation. The city’s PCMC@50 Strategy, built around six mission pillars —urban mobility, environment, infrastructure, education, governance, and economic development — is helping align ongoing work with a long-term vision for its golden jubilee in 2032.