Pune: IT Engineers In Hinjawadi Raise Concerns Over Poor Road Conditions, Criticize Government’s Freebies in Viral X Post
Samata Kukade
The frustration of IT engineers in Pune’s Hinjawadi area has spilled over onto social media, as a recent viral X (formerly Twitter) post by Heart_Pune captures the growing discontent with the Maharashtra government’s priorities. The post, directed at the state’s ‘Laadki Bahin’ scheme, which provides financial assistance to women, highlights the stark contrast between Maharashtra’s booming IT sector and its crumbling infrastructure.
World's Top Software and IT Companies Are Situated In Hinjawadi IT Park But Infrastructure Remains Pathetic With NO ROADS, NO POWER SUPPLY And LIVEABLE Conditions. @BRAVE_Hinjawadi @HEART_PUNE @HIRWA_Hinjawadi @HinjeIndsAssoc @MegapolisResdnt @LiveAbHinjawadi @OfficialPMRDA… pic.twitter.com/X9dMxwEavY
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) August 9, 2024
Heart_Pune’s post reads, “1,60,700 Crore+ annual software exports from Maharashtra’s IT parks. 300,000 IT engineers in Hinjawadi. 200+ IT companies: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Persistent, KPIT, BirlaSoft. Favorite brother, favorite sister, and now favorite influencer! When will we become favorites? asks a tax-paying IT engineer!” This pointed remark underscores the resentment among professionals who feel their contributions to the state’s economy are overlooked in favor of populist schemes.
The sentiment resonated with many in the IT hub, where poor road conditions have become a daily struggle. Responding to the post, X user Santosh Kanase voiced his frustration, stating, “People have been shouting about the issue for many days, but nothing has changed! I’ve stopped using this road now because my car’s suspension is damaged. Shouldn’t the government compensate me for this?” Heart_Pune replied, “One small correction: Actually, many ‘YEARS’ & we have proofs. Check our old tweets.”
Another user, @ruturajamle, suggested, “WFH is the only solution for traffic as of now,” while Rajdeep Singh tagged multiple stakeholders, including Pune Pulse and local authorities, in an effort to escalate the issue.
The road conditions in Pune, particularly in Hinjawadi, have been a longstanding issue. In 2023, Pune Pulse reported on similar complaints from residents. Ankit Shukla, a resident of Hinjawadi, shared his experience, “The potholes issue has been there for a long time. Due to heavy rains and waterlogging, potholes on the entire route weren’t visible. Recently, while driving, I didn’t realize there were potholes due to water accumulation, and I felt like my car was going to get stuck. This is how bad the issue has become. Along with potholes, wrong-side driving, and ignoring traffic rules are rampant. I pay a lot of tax, but it is of no use as mine and the public’s money is simply wasted.”
As these concerns continue to surface on social media, it remains to be seen whether the Maharashtra government will address the deteriorating infrastructure in one of India’s most significant IT hubs, or if the focus will remain on populist schemes at the expense of critical urban development.
