Pune: 50 companies shifted from Chakan MIDC to other states, reveals top Congress leader, industry association confirms

Pimpri: A senior Congress leader has made a shocking revelation. He said that the Chakan industrial area is an automobile hub. But infrastructural facilities have gone for a toss there. Except for holding meetings, nothing is being done by the government machinery.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh added, “As a result, over 50 companies from Chakan have migrated to Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.” The industrial association in Chakan has confirmed the disturbing trend.

Many multinational automobile companies such as Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Bridgestone, Atlas Copco, etc, have their factories in the Chakan industrial area. Besides traffic congestion, a lack of infrastructural facilities from the area is on the anvil. DyCM Ajit Pawar held a high-level meeting in Mumbai on these issues in July this year.

Later, the local government agencies were supposed to take measures to solve the issues. However, only a series of meetings is being conducted and nothing concrete is being done. Therefore, industrial units are shifting to other states. The Federation of Chakan Industries has been raising the issue.

In this backdrop, Jairam Ramesh has raised some points in a post on social media. His post said, “Chakan is an important automobile hub but there is a lack of basic amenities. Many big companies are leaving the area. Though road work is underway, the pothole problem persists. Besides causing congestion, accidents are frequent on these roads.

“This is affecting productivity of companies. Delays are caused while receiving raw material and transporting finished goods to markets. In spite of lodging complaints by the industrial federation often and conducting meetings with MIDC officials, there has been no progress in this regard. Till date, 50 firms have shifted their units to Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

“It is very important to retain investment in Maharashtra. But companies are migrating from Chakan to other states. Earlier, many industries went from Maharashtra to Gujarat. Jobs are lost due to the government’s apathy.”

Federation of Chakan Industries Secretary Dilip Batwal said, “The claim made by Jairam Ramesh on the situation about Chakan industries is true. Many companies have shifted to other states. Many others are scouting for land in other states. Industries are stifled due to worsening infrastructure and traffic congestion. Two to three hours of employees are wasted daily due to traffic issues. This is adversely affecting production.”