The recent municipal council elections in Phursungi-Uruli Devachi, held after its separation from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), have brought a long-standing issue back into sharp focus: the urgent need for a dedicated municipal corporation for Pune's rapidly growing eastern regions.
Political Momentum and Expert Backing
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar recently stated that forming a separate municipal corporation was inevitable, even if it does not happen immediately. This political push finds strong support from urban planners. Senior experts like Ramchandra Gohad and Pratap Raval argue that the city's explosive growth has overwhelmed the PMC's capacity.
Gohad pointed out that planners drafting the development plan in the late 1980s had already foreseen this necessity. Raval emphasized the suffering of residents due to an overburdened administration, leading to a critical lack of basic amenities like water and proper roads. They believe even a B-category municipal corporation would be sufficient to address the development needs of these areas.
The Strain of Expansion and Subsequent Demerger
The core of the problem lies in PMC's massive geographical expansion. The proposal to merge 34 villages was approved in 2013-14. Following court orders, 11 villages were fully merged in 2017, nine were partially merged, and Phursungi-Uruli Devachi was completely merged.
The inclusion of 23 more villages in July 2021 officially made PMC Maharashtra's largest municipal corporation, spanning 518.77 square kilometers. However, this vast jurisdiction created immense strain. The inability to provide essential services led to local protests, resulting in the demerger of Phursungi-Uruli Devachi and another area in 2024.
Growing Chorus for a New Civic Body
The issue has moved beyond expert circles. Former corporators from areas like Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Wagholi, and Manjari are actively advocating for a new governing body. The matter was also raised in the state assembly's monsoon session.
MLC Yogesh Tilekar highlighted the exponential growth of PMC's jurisdiction after merging 32 areas, which has put unsustainable pressure on civic manpower and infrastructure. He stressed the urgent need for a dedicated corporation, as PMC is now the state's largest municipal body. The state government, however, has currently adopted a wait-and-watch approach.
The immediate trigger for this renewed debate is the postponed election for the Phursungi-Uruli Devachi municipal council, initially scheduled for December 2. This electoral process has become a symbol of the broader administrative challenges facing Pune's eastern suburbs, solidifying the argument that a new, focused civic authority is no longer just an option but a necessity for equitable development.
