PCMC Cancels Foreign Tours, Orders Strict Cost Cuts

PCMC | In a major administrative crackdown aimed at controlling rising expenses, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has cancelled all approved foreign tours of officers and employees with immediate effect. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi has also issued strict directives to prevent any new foreign tour proposals until further orders.

The strong move comes in the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia conflict and the growing fuel crisis, following the Maharashtra government’s May 13, 2026 directive urging civic bodies to implement energy conservation, fuel control and expenditure reduction measures.

The new orders will apply across all departments of the civic administration.

AC Restrictions, Mandatory Energy Saving

The civic body has instructed all offices to maximise the use of natural light and minimise electricity consumption. Air-conditioner temperatures must now be maintained between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, while unnecessary use of lights and electrical equipment after office hours has been strictly discouraged.

PCMC has also ordered controlled use of edible oil in civic-run canteens, hospitals, hostels, balwadis and anganwadis. In a significant shift, the administration has asked departments to prefer locally available mustard and groundnut oil over imported palm, soybean and sunflower oils.

Officials have been directed to revise food planning while considering nutritional value and reducing dependency on imported products.

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Officials Told To Use Metro, PMPML And Public Transport

The administration has made it clear that official inspections and site visits should be conducted with minimum vehicle usage. Joint visits must follow a carpooling model to reduce fuel consumption.

If travel is unavoidable, officers and employees have been instructed to prioritise metro, railway, PMPML buses and other public transport systems.

Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi has also appealed to senior officials and department heads to voluntarily use public transport at least once every week.

Crackdown On Consultant Culture

In another strong financial decision, PCMC has decided to halt the appointment of new consultants for the next six months.

The civic administration observed that crores of rupees are being spent every year on consultants for both small and large projects, yet many works continue to face repeated delays and deadline extensions.

“All departments must refrain from submitting proposals for new consultants during the next six months,” the order states.

Meetings To Shift Online

To reduce travel and operational expenses, PCMC has directed departments to conduct meetings, seminars, training sessions and review conferences through video conferencing or online platforms wherever possible.

The administration has also warned departments against unnecessary expenditure on publicity materials, banners, flex boards, decorative lighting and other non-essential promotional activities.

Mayor Ravi Landge’s First Foreign Tour Cancelled

The austerity drive has already impacted the city’s top leadership.

Mayor Ravi Landge was scheduled to attend the World Urban Forum under the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22 along with his personal assistant.

However, the foreign visit has now been cancelled. The proposed trip was expected to cost nearly Rs 9 lakh.

Cycle Appeal Fails To Gain Public Response

Earlier this month, Mayor Ravi Landge and Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi had arrived at the PCMC headquarters on bicycles for the General Body meeting held on May 15.

The symbolic move received appreciation across the city, and the Mayor appealed to citizens, officers and employees to avoid private vehicles every Thursday and instead use bicycles.

However, civic officials admit that the initiative has failed to receive the expected response from both employees and citizens.

Focus On Electric Vehicles And PNG Infrastructure

The civic administration is now aggressively pushing electric mobility and clean energy infrastructure.

Departments have been instructed to prioritise electric vehicles in rented vehicle contracts. Proposals related to EV charging stations within PCMC limits are to be cleared on priority.

The administration has also ordered fast-track approvals for PNG (Piped Natural Gas) infrastructure projects, including permissions, NOCs and administrative clearances, to encourage cleaner fuel usage across the city.