The Pune Smart City Development Company Limited (PSCDCL) informed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that its Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS) might soon become a financial burden for the PMC. The PSCDCL requested the PMC assume responsibility for the project and cover the annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of Rs 0.11 billion.
According to the PSCDCL, the ATMS project was completed in February 2024, with installation at 125 intersections. Chetan Sharma, a PSCDCL official overseeing the project, stated that the system was fully operational and the O&M phase had commenced in April of that year. As per the agreement, they were to manage the project for five years.
The Smart City mission, initially including Pune as one of its designated cities, was discontinued by the central government in June 2023. Subsequently, the PSCDCL began urging the PMC to take over various projects. Recently, the PSCDCL wrote to the PMC, urging them to assume control of the ATMS project and cover the annual O&M charges.
Manisha Shekatkar, superintendent engineer of the PMC's electrical department, confirmed receipt of the letter from PSCDCL and indicated that the proposal had been sanctioned by the general body. She added that the PMC would need to pay Rs 11.58 crore plus 18% GST annually to the operating company. The decision regarding assuming responsibility for the project rested with the PMC commissioner, pending submission of a proposal.
Originally tendered in 2018 with an expected cost of Rs 0.11 billion, the PMC would need to allocate this amount annually for the next five years, despite the absence of budget provisions for the expense in the municipal budget for 2024?25.
During a meeting on June 17, chaired by deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar, it was decided to transfer control of traffic signals from the PMC to the traffic police department. This decision prompted the Pune police to express interest in assuming control of the ATMS for enhanced traffic management.
Manisha Shekatkar mentioned that discussions regarding the police's role in maintenance charges were ongoing, following the Pune police commissioner's letter to the PMC regarding the transfer of ATMS control.
