Aaditya Thackeray Slams Maha Govt Over Chakan MIDC Crisis

Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Worli MLA, attacked the Maharashtra government over the condition of Chakan MIDC on Saturday. He visited the area on Independence Day and met with industrialists who raised concerns about roads, traffic, electricity, drainage, and administrative clearances.

Thackeray alleged that poor infrastructure, lack of coordination among government agencies, and corruption were making it difficult for industries to operate in the state. He suggested appointing someone like IAS Tukaram Munde to solve the problem in areas like Chakan. Thackeray stated that 20 industries in Chakan were currently considering relocation, which he called an unfortunate situation.

The situation in Chakan is linked to the wider debate over industries leaving Maharashtra. Thackeray referred to a recent Lok Sabha reply, which stated that around 35,300 industries had either shut down or left Maharashtra over the past five years. The Maharashtra government has disputed this figure, saying many of the companies included were already defunct and had never started operations.

Thackeray argued that the figures showed the impact on employment, with many workers affected by the closure of industries. He said that industrialists in Chakan were not demanding major concessions from the government and were seeking basic facilities such as security, electricity, and proper roads. Thackeray criticized the condition of roads in Chakan, saying it had become a major problem for industries and workers.

He also criticized the presence of garbage in the industrial area, saying that an MIDC that should smell of industrial activity now smells of garbage. Thackeray alleged that roads were repaired or potholes were temporarily filled whenever senior political leaders announced visits to the area. In some places, he claimed, potholes were even being filled using discarded footwear.

Thackeray criticized the lack of coordination between the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Public Works Department (PWD), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He said that workers were spending two to three hours commuting to work because of traffic and poor roads, which directly impacts efficiency and health.

Thackeray referred to the industry minister's scheduled visit to Chakan on Sunday and urged him to visit the area without official protocol and experience the traffic and road conditions like an ordinary commuter. He alleged corruption in the approval process for industrial and development projects, claiming that industrialists had told him that large bribes were demanded to get approvals.

The situation in Chakan MIDC highlights the need for the Maharashtra government to address the issues faced by industries in the state. The government must take steps to improve infrastructure, reduce corruption, and increase coordination among government agencies to prevent industries from relocating. This is crucial for the economic development of the state and the well-being of workers in the industrial sector.

In conclusion, Aaditya Thackeray's visit to Chakan MIDC has brought attention to the crisis faced by industries in the area. The Maharashtra government must take immediate action to address the issues raised by Thackeray and work towards creating a more conducive environment for industries to operate in the state.