Maharashtra Government Unveils Plans for Major IT Park in Purandar
The Maharashtra state government made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing that a new Information Technology park will be established near the proposed greenfield international airport in Purandar taluka. State Industries Minister Uday Samant formally declared the project in the legislative assembly, marking a pivotal moment for the region's economic development.
Project Details and Land Allocation Process
The new IT park in Purandar has been under discussion for approximately two years, with the finalization of land allocation now enabling the official announcement. Minister Samant clarified that while the land for the project has not yet been transferred from the revenue department to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the government is committed to expediting this process.
"The land for the project is yet to be transferred from the revenue department to the MIDC, but we are announcing that the IT park will indeed be set up in Purandar," Samant stated. "The land transfer process would be accelerated following the next cabinet meeting."
The initial meeting to assess the feasibility of an IT park in Purandar occurred on July 24, 2024, during Eknath Shinde's tenure as chief minister. At that time, the district administration was instructed to survey the area and identify suitable land. A subsequent meeting chaired by the industries minister took place on October 3, 2025, where revenue department land was proposed for the project.
Financial and Administrative Advantages
Minister of State for Industries Indranil Naik elaborated on the administrative benefits during the assembly session. "We have written to the revenue department on February 27 about our requirement. Since the land belongs to the revenue department, it will conserve government funds typically needed for land acquisition," Naik explained. "The revenue department will need to submit a proposal in the cabinet meeting for the land transfer. After the cabinet's approval, work on the project can commence."
Political Advocacy and Economic Impact
Purandar's Shiv Sena MLA Vijay Shivtare raised the IT park issue in the assembly, highlighting its potential to address existing challenges. "Some IT companies are relocating from Hinjewadi IT park due to traffic congestion and other infrastructure problems," Shivtare noted. "If an IT park is developed in Purandar, these companies might prefer moving to a new location within the district. The proposed site is merely 3-4 kilometers from the proposed international airport. Once operational, the IT park will offer excellent connectivity and could generate nearly one lakh jobs."
Industry Response and Expert Recommendations
The IT sector has welcomed the announcement but emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. Experts cautioned the government against repeating the infrastructure errors seen at Hinjewadi IT park when developing the Purandar facility.
Pavanjit Mane, head of the state Forum for IT Employees, stressed the need for world-class infrastructure. "While developing infrastructure at the new site, the government must outcompete other states to attract IT companies to Maharashtra," Mane asserted. "The government should ensure they correct the mistakes made during the establishment of Hinjewadi IT park. Along with industrial infrastructure, the government must provide civic amenities in and around the new IT park."
Industry experts further recommended that instead of merely relocating existing IT companies from current parks, the government should focus on attracting new companies to Purandar. This strategy would maximize investment and job creation opportunities across the state, fostering sustainable economic growth.
Strategic Location and Future Prospects
The proximity to the proposed international airport positions the Purandar IT park as a strategically advantageous location for global IT firms. This development aligns with broader efforts to enhance Maharashtra's status as a premier destination for technology investments, potentially transforming the regional economy and infrastructure landscape.
