The Forum for IT Employees (FITE), Maharashtra, has urged authorities to name Wakad Metro station after late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, recognising his contribution to infrastructure development and his efforts to address concerns raised by employees working at Hinjawadi IT Park.
The organisation has proposed the name ‘Late Shri Ajit Dada Pawar Metro Station, Wakad’, stating that the move would honour a political leader who actively engaged with IT professionals and took an interest in improving infrastructure along the Hinjawadi corridor.
Pavanjit Mane, head of FITE, said Pawar was among the few senior political leaders who personally visited the IT hub, interacted with employees and understood their difficulties. Highlighting his approach, Mane said, “Dada was a leader who believed in infrastructure development and, more importantly, believed in being on the ground to understand people’s problems.”
According to Mane, Pawar frequently visited Hinjawadi, sometimes early in the morning, accompanied by officials from relevant departments. He inspected infrastructure facilities, listened to employees’ grievances and ensured their concerns were raised during official discussions.
He said, “He ensured that the voice of lakhs of IT professionals was represented in infrastructure-related meetings. His accessibility, willingness to listen and commitment to ground-level problem-solving made a lasting impression on the IT community.”
Mane added that Pawar’s sudden demise had left a leadership gap, with employees concerned about the continuation of efforts to resolve the area’s infrastructure problems.
Explaining the choice of location, he said Wakad was a major transport junction and an important gateway to Hinjawadi IT Park, witnessing substantial daily commuter movement.
Mane said, “Leaders are remembered not merely by the positions they held, but by the difference they made in people’s lives. Ajit Dada deserves to be remembered by the IT community he stood with.”
FITE plans to submit a formal representation next week to District Collector Jitendra Dudi and PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner and CEO Dr Abhijit Chaudhari, requesting them to consider the proposal.
Source: The Free Press Journal
