Pune, 23rd September 2026: Development works pending approval at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are expected to face a delay of around a month after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections came into effect on Monday (September 22).
The code was imposed after the Election Commission of India announced elections for the Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies. The MCC is expected to remain in force until the end of October.
Several development works that had completed administrative procedures and were awaiting approval from the Standing Committee and ward committees will now have to wait until the restrictions are lifted.
The PMC had begun moving forward with smaller and larger works in various wards after the civic budget was approved. However, the election code is expected to slow down the approval and execution of these projects.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said essential civic services would not be stopped because of the MCC.
“Water supply, healthcare, sewage management and pothole repairs are directly linked to citizens’ daily needs. Around 90 per cent of PMC services are essential. If Election Commission permission is required for any work, the PMC will follow the prescribed procedure. Essential services and basic facilities will continue,” Ram said.
The election code is also expected to further delay the public opening of Pune Metro Line 3, connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar. The corridor is ready to begin passenger operations after receiving the required safety clearance. However, its formal public inauguration is likely to be postponed until the Model Code of Conduct ends.
The 23-km Metro Line 3 is an important link between the Hinjewadi IT hub and central Pune. Its operation is expected to provide an alternative to road travel for thousands of daily commuters, particularly IT professionals.
PMC administrative work had already slowed in recent months, with a large number of employees involved in electoral roll revision and census-related duties.
With the new election code now in force, civic officials are expected to face additional restrictions while processing development-related decisions.
The selection of three citizen members for each of the PMC’s 15 ward committees may also be postponed. Applications have already been received, and the selection was expected to take place in October. With the MCC in force, the process is now likely to be completed in November.
