Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to visit Chakan MIDC on Sunday to inspect roads and review the infrastructure problems affecting the industrial area. Shinde is expected to reach Chakan MIDC at around 3 pm and conduct a road inspection from 3.30 pm. His visit comes amid growing concerns over potholes, traffic congestion and poor infrastructure in the Chakan-Talegaon industrial belt.
The inspection comes just a week after Shinde and Industries Minister Uday Samant held a nearly three-hour meeting with Chakan industrialists on 16th August. Samant conducted an on-site visit to Chakan last Sunday, while Shinde participated in the meeting remotely via video conference. Industrialists had raised concerns over the poor condition of roads, traffic congestion and other infrastructure problems affecting businesses and daily commuters.
Following the meeting, the government promised an infrastructure overhaul in the Chakan industrial area. Authorities were given a deadline of 31st August to repair potholes. Broader infrastructure works have been targeted for completion within 10 months. Shinde had also directed 14 government departments to work together to address infrastructure and traffic-related problems in the Chakan-Talegaon belt.
The latest visit is expected to review the condition of roads and the progress of repair work ahead of the 31st August deadline. The government has also been working on an action plan to tackle traffic congestion in Chakan MIDC. On Saturday, Shinde had sent a team to Chakan for road repair work, according to reports. Sunday’s inspection is expected to provide a further assessment of the work and the condition of key roads in the industrial area.
Chakan MIDC is a major industrial hub and sees heavy movement of goods vehicles, buses, cars and two-wheelers every day. Poor road conditions and traffic congestion have repeatedly affected movement in the area and raised concerns among industrialists and workers.
According to the programme, Shinde will leave his Thane residence at 1 pm and is scheduled to reach Chakan MIDC at 3 pm. After the road inspection, he is expected to leave for Thane at around 4.30 pm and reach his residence by 6.30 pm.
The visit is likely to be closely watched by industrialists and commuters as the 31st August deadline for pothole repairs approaches. Any fresh directions or deadlines issued during the inspection could determine the next phase of the government’s Chakan infrastructure plan.
