The state government's notice in regards to the merger of 23 villages in the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is expected soon. Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister, held a meeting on Tuesday in the state capital and discussed several issues related to Pune. The main concerns included handing over schools and anganwadis from 11 villages included in city limits in 2018, the merger of 23 new villages, redevelopment of MHADA buildings, and the implementation of Shivane-Kharadi Road and construction of safety walls at Katraj Lake and Ambil Odha. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders from the city largely attended the meeting, including MLAs Chetan Tupe and Sunil Tingre and opposition leader in PMC Deepali Dhumal. Tupe told the media that though no separate discussions were held on the merger of 23 villages, Pawar instructed various departments to coordinate so that there are no hurdles in the process. He said that the merger proposal is in the final stages, and the notice is expected in the next few days. The state government welcomed suggestions and objections on the merger of 23 villages. Recently, a detailed report has been submitted by the Pune divisional commissioner to the government. NCP has been pushing for the merger before the municipal polls scheduled for next February. Tupe told the media that a discussion was also held on constructing safety walls along water bodies. He said that the proposal to build safety walls at Ambil Odha and Katraj Lake would be discussed with the mayor and other elected members in the next meeting to be held in Pune. The deputy chief minister also asked representatives to explore the option of constructing the elevated Shivane-Kharadi road on a single pillar along the river. Tingre told the media that the redevelopment of MHADA buildings located in the city's eastern parts has been pending for a long time and that Pawar asked them to prepare a plan. Image Source Also read: Pune real estate sector hit by second wave of Covid-19 Also read: Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar metro: Pune civic body to hand over land