“Baramati may be my birthplace, but Pimpri-Chinchwad is my karmabhoomi,” Ajit Pawar often said and he lived by those words.
The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune district Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday has left Pimpri-Chinchwad numb with grief. For the industrial township he helped build and nurture for over three decades, the loss feels intensely personal.
Across the twin cities, residents speak of a deep sense of emptiness. Many say the city feels orphaned — such was the emotional and administrative bond Pawar shared with Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Discipline and vision
Having covered the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) beat for over two decades, one thing stands out clearly: no leader understood the city’s pulse quite like Pawar.
During the recent civic elections, he spent nearly a month in the city, campaigning relentlessly. For journalists covering him, there was one unwritten rule: arrive early. Pawar was never late, not once.
During the campaign, he even hosted an informal interaction with journalists in Pimpri. Smiling, he opened the session by saying, “Ask anything. I won’t get angry.” The room burst into laughter. True to his word, he answered every question candidly and calmly, earning respect across the media fraternity.
He usually arrived in the city early in the morning, for meetings, inspections, inaugurations or surprise site visits. His command over administration was firm, his expectations clear. Officials knew that delays, excuses, and poor execution would not be tolerated.
Political roots
Pawar’s political journey is deeply intertwined with Pimpri-Chinchwad. In 1991, he contested his first Lok Sabha election from the Baramati constituency, which at the time included the twin city. His victory marked the beginning of a long association that would shape local politics for decades.
Under his leadership, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ruled the PCMC uninterrupted for 15 years, a period that came to define the city’s transformation. Pawar approached urban development with foresight, preparing long-term plans by studying the city’s future population, industrial growth and infrastructure needs.
Planned growth, infra
He began by identifying core civic problems and addressing them systematically. Road connectivity, public transport, alternative traffic corridors, water supply, and sewage systems were all planned with precision. Importantly, he ensured that rapid urbanisation did not come at the cost of environmental balance. As the guardian minister and later as deputy chief minister and finance minister, Pawar ensured consistent financial support for Pimpri-Chinchwad. His political influence helped the PCMC secure central funding without bureaucratic hurdles.
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the city received nearly `2600 crore, accelerating projects related to roads, bus transport, solid waste management, water supply, sewerage systems and slum rehabilitation.
Landmark projects
Several defining projects were initiated under Pawar’s guidance:
. Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre on 200 acres at Moshi
. Central Business District on 33 acres along the Mumbai-Pune National Highway
. Science Park, now a symbol of the city’s educational ambitions
. Expansion and modernisation of roads, flyovers, grade separators and railway overbridges
. Development of public gardens and civic spaces
. Strengthening of healthcare infrastructure, which later helped the city record one of the lowest mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic
Technology-driven
Ajit Pawar strongly encouraged the adoption of technology in civic administration. The e-Suvidha platform allowed citizens to pay taxes and utility bills online, improving transparency and efficiency.
Social welfare schemes flourished under his watch. Affordable housing for the urban poor, the Nigdi Otta Scheme, improved health services, and upgraded civic amenities became hallmarks of PCMC governance.
Women empowerment remained a major focus. Self-help groups received interest-free loans of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. Sewing machines were distributed, and training programmes in driving and computer skills were launched to promote financial independence.
Schemes were also introduced for workers, students, sportspersons and senior citizens, ensuring inclusive growth. The Sarthi helpline started by PCMC later became a model replicated across the state.
No compromise on quality
Ajit Pawar’s punctuality was legendary, but equally notable was his insistence on quality. He planned with the next 50 years in mind. Cleanliness, discipline and aesthetics were non-negotiable.
He personally inspected projects, preferred on-site inaugurations and rarely abandoned any work midway. Officials recall how he would arrive in the city at dawn to review projects, keeping the administration constantly alert.
As a result, Pimpri-Chinchwad’s development was not just rapid; it was structured, durable and future-ready.
Just as he loved Baramati, Ajit Pawar loved Pimpri-Chinchwad deeply. That affection translated into lasting institutions, modern infrastructure and a civic culture rooted in discipline and efficiency.
His recent citizen outreach meetings in the city had drawn an overwhelming public response, a reminder of the connection he never lost with the people.
1991
Year Ajit Pawar first contested Lok Sabha polls from Baramati
15
No. of yrs NCP ruled PCMC
