Pune: Entrepreneurs from Pimpri-Chinchwad and surrounding industrial areas have raised concerns over the large number of unused plots under the control of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Despite the increasing demand for land from new businesses, these plots remain unutilized, leaving budding entrepreneurs with no access to much-needed space.
A survey conducted by MIDC five years ago identified several plots that had been distributed but left undeveloped. It was promised that action would be taken to reclaim these plots, but so far, entrepreneurs have been left in the dark about the progress of this initiative.
Entrepreneurs have expressed frustration at the lack of transparency from MIDC regarding how many plots are currently vacant and whether any have been reclaimed. The PCMC has also come under fire, as many industrialists claim they have been unable to obtain any concrete information about unused municipal plots earmarked for development.
Pimpri-Chinchwad's industrial sector is home to between 10,000 and 12,000 companies, ranging from small to large enterprises, including major corporations such as Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, and Force Motors.
The MIDC oversees 3,000 acres of industrial land across 22 blocks. Out of the 3,800 plots allotted, some companies have fully developed their operations, while others remain vacant or have closed down over time.
Additionally, the PCMC has been allocated plots by MIDC for various municipal development projects, yet many of these plots remain undeveloped.
Over the past 17 years, the region has seen the closure of 126 companies, with some relocating elsewhere. As a result, the land that once housed these businesses has remained vacant, prompting many landowners to seek the removal of industrial zoning restrictions.
With the help of real estate developers, these plots have been transformed into residential and commercial projects, further reducing the availability of industrial land.
Local business owners, such as Sanjay Bhosale of SS Enterprises, have voiced their frustration, stating, "Many vacant plots remain under the control of MIDC and PCMC. These plots should be made available to new entrepreneurs who are struggling to find land for their ventures."
Girish Vaidya, Managing Director of Manisha Composite, emphasized the need for MIDC to focus on promoting industrial growth, saying, "MIDC's primary purpose should be to support industrial development, and more plots should be made available for this. Instead, we are seeing residential and commercial projects being developed on land meant for industries."
