Pune: Ajit Pawar Orders PMC To Align Road-Digging Fees With PCMC; Asks MSEDCL To Expedite Power Works
Pune: Ajit Pawar Orders PMC To Align Road-Digging Fees With PCMC; Asks MSEDCL To Expedite Power Works
Pune, September 1, 2025: Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to charge road-digging fees similar to those levied by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for laying underground electricity lines. He stated that the high excavation charges imposed by PMC are causing delays in completing several electricity infrastructure projects under schemes like RDSS, PM Suryaghar, and the Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme.
During the District Electricity Monitoring Committee meeting, held on Saturday at Circuit House, Ajit Pawar instructed PMC to follow the PCMC model of charging ₹100 per meter as a supervision fee, while the responsibility for road restoration lies with MSEDCL. In contrast, PMC currently charges ₹6,600 per meter, which significantly increases project costs.The meeting also reviewed the progress of ongoing electricity projects, with ₹178 crore allocated for strengthening power lines in Pune city and ₹505 crore for rural electricity infrastructure. Plans include building new substations, upgrading existing ones, and laying over 3,000 km of underground cables.Ajit Pawar further urged MSEDCL to expedite the Prime Minister’s Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme, which has already benefited over 20,000 consumers with an installed capacity of 94 MW. He also directed MahaTransco officials to immediately commence work on approved extra-high-voltage substations and ensure their timely completion.
