Hinjewadi-Maan Road Widening: Protests, Police Action, and New Plan

Road Widening in Hinjewadi-Maan Sparks Clash Between Police and Residents

A recent road-widening drive in the Hinjewadi and Maan areas has led to a tense situation between the police, government agencies, and local residents. What was planned as an administrative step to improve traffic flow turned into a public dispute, with videos of the incident going viral and raising questions about the way the project is being handled.

The Incident That Triggered Outrage

On August 8, 2025, officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), along with police personnel, arrived in the Hinjawadi-Maan area to remove encroachments and clear debris for road widening. The work was being done as per the instructions of Pune’s Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, who has been pushing for better internal roads to reduce traffic congestion in the IT Park zone.

However, a video emerged showing a senior police officer from Hinjewadi Police Station, Balaji Pandhare, allegedly threatening and abusing a local resident who questioned the demolition. The video shows the officer using foul language, physically pushing the resident, and warning of arrest.

What shocked many was that this happened in the presence of NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar, who did not intervene during the heated exchange.

Why the Road Widening Is Happening

The Hinjewadi IT Park is one of the busiest tech hubs in Pune. Thousands of vehicles pass through every day, and traffic jams are common during peak hours. To address this, the administration planned to widen several internal roads, including the Hinjawadi-Maan stretch.

Initially, the plan was to widen the road to 36 meters. But after protests from locals, MLA Mandekar announced that the administration had agreed to reduce the width to 24 meters as per community demands.

Original Plan	Revised Plan	Reason for Change
36 meters road width	24 meters road width	Strong opposition from locals and landowners

Landowners’ Concerns

Residents and landowners from Maan and nearby villages have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. Their main concerns include:

• No prior notice before demolitions
• Unclear compensation for land acquisition
• Lack of proper communication from authorities
• Use of police force during the drive

During the clearance work in Pandavnagar, locals staged a sit-in protest, demanding that the government measure the land properly and give compensation before taking possession.

Negotiations and Temporary Relief

The protests saw the involvement of political leaders, including members of the Shiv Sena, who supported the villagers’ stand. Amid rising tensions, MLA Shankar Mandekar stepped in to mediate between the officials and residents.

PMRDA later gave a written assurance to provide Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to affected landowners, which helped calm the protest for the time being.

Role of the Police

Police officials say they were deployed to ensure law and order during the clearance work. Senior Inspector Balaji Pandhare stated that some people were taken into custody for obstructing government work and behaving aggressively.

Officials argue that without proper police presence, such drives could face disruptions or even violence. However, the viral video has brought public attention to how such power should be exercised, especially in sensitive situations.

Meeting with Deputy Chief Minister

Following the incident, villagers demanded a meeting with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to present their side of the story. The meeting was scheduled at the PMRDA office, where locals hoped to get clarity on compensation, project plans, and road alignment.

The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure vs. Livelihood

The conflict in Hinjewadi-Maan is not just about one road. It represents a larger debate in growing cities—how to balance infrastructure development with the rights and livelihoods of local communities.

On one hand, wider roads are necessary to handle the increasing traffic from the IT sector. On the other, residents worry about losing their homes, farmland, and community spaces without fair compensation.

Voices from the Ground

Some residents say they are not against development but feel the process is unfair. “We understand roads need to be widened, but we should be informed, and our land should be valued properly,” said a local farmer from Maan.

Others feel the project is being rushed without considering its impact. “If they remove our shops without a proper plan for relocation, we lose our income overnight,” said a shopkeeper in Hinjewadi village.

PMRDA’s Stand

According to PMRDA officials, the road widening is essential for future growth. Tehsildar Asha Holkar stated that encroachments have already been removed from several points and notices will be issued for other illegal constructions after surveys.

They believe the revised plan, reducing the road width, is a fair compromise that still allows smoother traffic movement while reducing displacement.

Potential Impact on Traffic

If completed successfully, the widened Hinjawadi-Maan road could significantly ease congestion for commuters traveling to and from the IT Park. It would provide better connectivity between residential areas, office zones, and the main highways.

However, delays due to protests and disputes could slow down progress, meaning commuters might have to bear with traffic problems for longer.

The road widening in Hinjewadi and Maan is a clear example of how infrastructure projects can spark conflicts if communication and compensation are not handled carefully. While better roads are important for a fast-growing IT hub, the process must be fair, transparent, and respectful to the people who are directly affected.

Both the administration and the community now have the opportunity to work together to ensure the project moves forward without causing unnecessary hardship. How this issue is resolved will set the tone for future development in the Hinjawadi region.

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