The Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued the final notification about the merger of 23 peripheral villages into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits.
With this, Pune has surpassed Mumbai as the biggest civic body in the state in terms of the geographical area. The Pune civic body will now have 518 sq km area under its jurisdiction, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has a total area of 437.71 sq km, as mentioned in its official website.
The state government had issued a primary notification in December last year about the merger of these villages into Pune, and invited suggestions and objections from people.
The order issued by the state government said that in the exercise of the powers conferred under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, the state government, after consultation with the PMC and after the publication of the proposed notification, alters the limits of the said municipal corporation by including 23 villages into Pune city.
Meanwhile, PMC Mayor Murlidhar Mohol has welcomed the decision, however, he has asked the state government to provide financial assistance. "While Pune Municipal Corporation has become the largest municipal corporation in the state, our priority will be to develop these villages comprehensively," he tweeted.
Mohol added that the administration requires for a fund of Rs 9,000 crore for these newly-incorporated villages. Accordingly, the state government should provide financial assistance to boost the development of these villages, he said.
Villages incorporated in PMC are: Mahalunge, Sus, Bavdhan Budruk, Kirkatwadi, Pisoli, Kondhve-Dhavade, Kopare, Nanded, Khadakwasla, Manjari Budruk, Narhe, Holkarwadi, Autade-Handewadi, Wadachiwadi, Shewalewadi, Nandoshi, Sanasnagar, Mangdewadi, Gujar Nimbalkarwadi, Bhilarewadi, Jambhulwadi, Kolewadi, and Wagholi.
(With PTI inputs)
