July 18, 2025: In a bid to improve efficiency and ensure timely execution of civic infrastructure projects, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the establishment of a centralized ‘war room’. Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that the initiative will serve as a real-time monitoring hub for all major civic works across the city.
Speaking to the media, Ram said, “The war room will play a crucial role in tracking the progress of ongoing development projects and ensuring they are completed within the set deadlines. It will bring more accountability and allow for prompt interventions when delays occur.”
The war room will be equipped with digital dashboards, live data feeds, and advanced tracking tools. It will monitor key projects including roadworks, drainage systems, water supply networks, Smart City components, and public infrastructure upgrades. Officials from the engineering, road, and building departments will be required to submit regular updates to the war room for review.
The PMC plans to integrate its Geographic Information System (GIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to provide real-time insights into the status of civic projects. Through this integration, authorities will be able to identify bottlenecks, assess field-level execution, and take corrective measures without delay.
Initially, the war room will prioritize the 24×7 water supply scheme, river rejuvenation initiatives, and road redevelopment projects under the Smart City mission. Departmental reviews will be held weekly, while the Municipal Commissioner will conduct monthly evaluations to monitor performance and progress.
The move comes in response to mounting criticism from citizens and political leaders over project delays, cost escalations, and lack of transparency in civic works. Several infrastructure projects in Pune have faced disruptions due to poor planning and coordination, leading to traffic congestion and public inconvenience.
PMC officials believe that the war room approach, which has shown success in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, will help restore public trust and improve the pace of urban development.
“The focus is not only on completing projects faster but also ensuring quality, transparency, and better coordination among departments,” said a senior PMC official.
The war room is expected to become operational within the next few weeks. It will be located at the PMC headquarters and will be accessible to senior officials for daily project tracking and strategic planning.
With this initiative, the PMC aims to establish a new standard in urban governance, ensuring that Pune’s rapid expansion is supported by timely and efficient civic infrastructure development.
