Pune: In a major financial setback, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is bearing the brunt of the Smart City project. The Smart City initiative, launched to manage traffic congestion in the city, has now resulted in a ₹44 crore demand from PMC for maintaining the Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS). The Smart City authorities have requested PMC to provide this amount in a lump sum for the system’s maintenance over the next four years. Additionally, they have asked for ₹192 crore for setting up the ATMS in 34 villages recently incorporated into PMC limits, citing a lack of funds to complete these developments. (pmc News Today)

Smart City’s Financial Strain on PMC

The Smart City initiative, which was originally launched by the central government in areas like Aundh, Baner, and Balewadi, aimed to modernize traffic management across Pune. However, the cost of these ambitious projects has now fallen on PMC. The ATMS, designed to regulate traffic through automated systems that adjust signal timings based on congestion levels, was installed at over 100 key junctions across the city. The total cost for this system was around ₹100 crore, with PMC already paying ₹13 crore as part of a ₹57 crore maintenance plan for the next five years.

However, Smart City has requested the remaining ₹44 crore from PMC as a lump sum, putting additional pressure on the civic body. Furthermore, a proposal has been submitted to extend this system to the 34 newly added villages at a cost of ₹192 crore, with Smart City in charge of the implementation and upkeep of the system. (Pune News Today)

Challenges in Project Completion

While the ATMS project has been implemented at various key intersections, several components, including the Control Command Centre, remain incomplete due to Smart City’s financial constraints. This has led to delays in the full execution of the project. Smart City’s CEO, Manisha Awale, has formally requested PMC to release the remaining ₹44 crore for system maintenance, adding urgency to the situation. (Pune News)

Despite the introduction of this advanced system, traffic congestion remains an ongoing issue in Pune, with no significant improvement seen at several junctions. The situation has led to frustration among citizens and calls for more effective solutions. As PMC grapples with these financial demands, the future of the city’s traffic management and the success of the Smart City project remain in question.