Pune: New IT Park Announced Near Purandar Airport to Decongest Hinjawadi; Potential for 1 Lakh New Jobs

In a major boost to Pune’s technology landscape, the Maharashtra government has officially announced the establishment of a new IT park in Purandar taluka, strategically located just 3-4 km from the proposed greenfield international airport, with projections of creating up to one lakh job opportunities. 

The announcement, made by Industries Minister Uday Samant in the state assembly on March 13, 2026, marks a significant step toward decongesting the saturated Hinjawadi IT Park while positioning Pune as a competitive destination for technology investments. The proposed Purandar IT park comes after two years of deliberations and aims to provide a modern, well-connected alternative for IT companies seeking expansion space within Maharashtra. 

Land Transfer Process Underway for Purandar IT Park

Government Land Identified Across Three Villages

The Purandar IT park will be developed on approximately 572 hectares (roughly 1,500 acres) of government-owned land spread across Dive, Kodit, and Chambli villages in Purandar taluka.  This land currently belongs to the Revenue Department and will be transferred to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for project development.

Minister of State for Industries Indranil Naik informed the assembly that a formal proposal regarding land requirements was sent to the Revenue Department on February 27, 2026. “Since the land belongs to the revenue department, it will save the government’s funds usually required for land acquisition,” Naik explained. “The revenue department will have to submit a proposal in the cabinet meeting for the transfer of the land. After the cabinet’s nod, the work for the project can start.” 

Timeline and Next Steps

The land transfer process is expected to gain momentum following the next cabinet meeting. Once the Revenue Department presents the proposal and receives cabinet approval, the land will be officially transferred to MIDC, allowing development work to commence.  Using government-owned land eliminates the complex and costly acquisition process typically required for such large-scale industrial projects.

Historical Background: Two Years in the Making

The journey toward establishing a new IT park near Pune airport began well before the recent announcement. The first meeting to assess the feasibility of an IT hub in Purandar took place on July 24, 2024, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. 

A follow-up review meeting led by the Industries Minister occurred on October 3, 2025, where land owned by the Revenue Department was first proposed as the project site.  Purandar MLA Vijay Shivtare has been consistently pursuing this demand, initially raising it during the assembly election period when discussions about an IT park, airport, and national market in Purandar gained traction. 

Why Purandar? Strategic Advantages Driving the Decision

Connectivity: The Airport Factor

The proposed site’s location just 3-4 km from the upcoming Purandar international airport serves as its biggest selling point. This proximity offers IT companies and their employees unparalleled connectivity, both domestically and internationally. 

Beyond air connectivity, MLA Vijay Shivtare highlights additional infrastructure advantages: “With this six-lane Palkhi Marg from Saswad to Pune, you can reach within half an hour from Purandar to Pune. Rail connectivity is available at Jejuri which will facilitate the movement of heavy goods.” 

Water Availability: A Critical Differentiator

Unlike Pune’s growing water challenges, the Purandar region boasts abundant water resources that could support large-scale industrial development. Shivtare points to a significant advantage: “Pune does not have water now. Of the 30 TMC capacity of Khadakwasla, 22 TMC is being consumed by Pune city itself… Whereas in Purandar, a parallel water system is there.”

The region is serviced by multiple dams including Bhatghar, Nira-Deoghar, Gunjavani, and Veer Dam, collectively holding 52 TMC capacity. “I don’t think this much water is available anywhere in Maharashtra. And not even 5% of it is being used,” Shivtare emphasized. 

The Hinjawadi Context: Addressing Infrastructure Strain

Why Companies Are Looking Beyond Hinjawadi

The announcement of a Hinjawadi alternative IT park comes at a critical juncture when Pune’s premier IT destination faces serious infrastructure challenges. MLA Vijay Shivtare raised concerns in the assembly, stating that “some IT companies are moving out of Hinjawadi IT park because of traffic and other infrastructure issues.” 

The congestion problem has reached a point where Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar recently visited Hinjawadi and urged the administration to expedite road widening and improve infrastructure, warning that companies were considering relocation due to delays.  Reports suggest some companies are even exploring options outside Maharashtra, with Shivtare noting that “people are leaving Pune for Bangalore due to traffic congestion at Hinjawadi.” 

Preventing Out-Migration of IT Firms

The MIDC Purandar IT park is strategically positioned to prevent this out-migration. By offering a fresh location with modern infrastructure within the same district, the government aims to retain companies that might otherwise move to other states. Officials believe this will help Maharashtra maintain its competitive edge in attracting technology investments. 

Employment Potential: One Lakh Jobs on the Horizon

Once completed, the Purandar IT park is anticipated to create approximately 1 lakh (100,000) job opportunities, according to government officials.  This employment generation would provide a significant economic boost to the Pune region and offer new opportunities for the local workforce.

MLA Shivtare has even suggested the potential could reach 2 lakh jobs, though official figures currently cite the one lakh figure.  The project represents one of the largest employment-generating initiatives in the region’s recent history.

Expert Reactions: Welcome with Caution

Learning from Hinjawadi’s Mistakes

While the IT sector has welcomed the announcement, experts have urged the government to ensure that the new park does not replicate the infrastructure failures of Hinjawadi. Pavanjit Mane, head of the State Forum for IT Employees, offered a balanced perspective on the development.

“While developing the infrastructure at the new site, the government will have to outsmart the other states in competition with Maharashtra to attract IT companies,” Mane stated. “The government should ensure that they rectify the mistakes they made while setting up the Hinjawadi IT park. Along with the industrial infrastructure, the government will have to ensure civic amenities in and around the new IT park.” 

Focus on Attracting New Companies

Experts have stressed that instead of merely shifting existing companies from Hinjawadi to Purandar, the government should focus on attracting new investments. This approach would ensure additional economic growth and job creation rather than simply relocating existing opportunities. 

Vision for Sustainable Development

The Purandar IT park presents an opportunity to create a sustainable and inclusive technology hub. Infrastructure specialists argue that the development must be backed by upgraded public transport, efficient road connectivity, and equitable housing policies to avoid replicating the congestion and strain experienced in Hinjawadi. 

By integrating modern green building standards, renewable energy provisions, and smart mobility solutions, the proposed IT park could set benchmarks for eco-friendly urban growth. State planners see this as a chance to design infrastructure with foresight while aligning with Maharashtra’s vision of creating carbon-neutral and resilient economic hubs. 

Political Push and Local Support

The announcement followed sustained efforts by Purandar MLA Vijay Shivtare, who raised the issue in the assembly and has been pursuing this demand for years. During discussions, Shivtare emphasized that the proposed site is only 3-4 km from the international airport and would offer excellent connectivity once completed. 

Shivtare expressed satisfaction with the announcement and committed to following up on the project’s progress to ensure timely implementation.  The political consensus around the project suggests strong commitment to its execution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Purandar IT Park

The Road Ahead

While the announcement marks a significant milestone, several steps remain before construction can begin. The Revenue Department must present the land transfer proposal in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Following approval, the land will be transferred to MIDC, which will then commence development planning.

Officials are optimistic about the timeline, noting that since the land is already government-owned, the process should face fewer complications compared to projects requiring private land acquisition. 

As Pune looks toward its next phase of technological growth, the Purandar IT park emerges as a cornerstone of future development. With strategic location advantages, abundant natural resources, and lessons learned from Hinjawadi’s challenges, the project holds the promise of creating a world-class technology destination that could serve as a model for sustainable industrial development in Maharashtra.