Pune: Nearly three decades after industries set up shop in Chakan MIDC, the automobile hub still lacks basic safety infrastructure, leaving workers — especially women — anxious about commuting after dark.Employees said most MIDC areas lacked streetlights and CCTV coverage, and police patrols were limited. Pooja Paswan, a mechanical engineer from Uttar Pradesh, recalled a time when she and a colleague got off a company bus stuck in traffic and tried to walk to the main road. “The roads were completely dark, with no streetlights. It was frightening. We never tried it again,” she said, remembering moving to Pune for work with high expectations.An HR executive at an industrial unit said though firms operated round the clock, they often hesitated to ask women employees to travel at night. Amrita Bhise, another employee, said many women already faced resistance from families for working away from home. “If our families knew how unsafe some parts of MIDC are, they might not allow us to continue working here,” she said.Jaydev Akkalkote, president of Chakan MIDC Industrial Association, said industries had protested in 2021 following a rise in crime in the area. “We ultimately hired a private security firm to conduct night patrols for Rs 70,000 a month,” he said.The concerns extend beyond women workers. Employee Devidas Navle said isolated stretches, particularly in Phase V, became unsafe after dark. “Cab drivers often refuse bookings because of traffic congestion. Workers are left with company transport or travelling in their own vehicles at their own risk,” he said.Pune collector Jitendra Dudi acknowledged that only around 10% of the MIDC had streetlights and that there were no CCTV cameras across the industrial zone. “Police authorities have cited manpower shortage for limited patrolling. AI-enabled cameras linked to the integrated command and control centre will be installed across MIDC. Streetlights will also be provided,” he said.Residents and activists, meanwhile, said robberies were particularly common during the first week of each month, when workers received salaries. Activist Bunty Mandekar alleged that many incidents went unreported as workers wanted to avoid legal hassles. “The overall security network is extremely poor and needs a complete overhaul,” he said.Another activist, Satyavan Navale, called for more police chowkies and regular night patrols in industrial pockets, alleging that several areas near Karanjvihare village had little police presence after dark.The sprawling industrial belt across western Khed taluka is surrounded by hills and forested patches, leaving several stretches isolated. A senior Pimpri Chinchwad police officer said, “A dedicated CCTV control room, similar to the city surveillance network, would give police a comprehensive view of industrial areas and improve monitoring and response.”
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