The industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad, which is on the faster track of development, is aiming to acquire an "international status". After setting up projects like autocluster which gained the town a national fame, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has decided to set up a "City Centre" project on a 33 acre plot of land in Chinchwad. The project, to be set up on public-private partnership (PPP) basis, will cost Rs 500 crore.

"We don't have to pay a single paisa.

The land will be ours and we will get lease rentals out it," said Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma. The project is his brainchild. It was only after NCP chief Sharad Pawar's approval that Sharma has decided to give a push to the project." On September 25, which is my son's birthday, I met the NCP chief and explained him about the project which will enhance the image of Pimpri-Chinchwad in the world eye and also help the civic body generate additional revenue.

Pawarsaheb was very happy with the idea.

Go ahead and take it further, Sharma said. The NCP is in majority in PCMC and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar had been playing a major role in the policy decision of the PCMC. Earlier this year, the PCMC set up a cath lab for heart patients who cannot afford costly surgeries.

The PCMC has invited architects to submit their concept designs for the project which will either be called "PCMC City Centre" or "Pimpri-Chinchwad City Centre." The deadline for submitted the concept design is June 15. Apart from professional architects, the PCMC has also invited architecture students to submit their design concepts.

Source: The Indian Express Rs 500 cr city centre plan after Pawar's green signal