In response to the persistent challenge of illegal garbage burning plaguing various areas within its jurisdiction, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to deploy security personnel at chronic burning sites, particularly in the Ahmednagar Road ward office jurisdiction.
Despite concerted efforts including flying squads and drives initiated at ward office levels to curb waste burning, the issue remains rampant, posing significant environmental and health hazards to residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, who are disproportionately affected by respiratory ailments aggravated by smoke inhalation.
Instances of indiscriminate garbage burning, such as the recent incident near Zensar IT company in Kharadi, underscore the urgency of addressing the root causes of this environmental menace. Residents have voiced their concerns over the frequent occurrence of such incidents and emphasized the need for permanent solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts on public health and environmental quality.
Kishori Shinde, deputy commissioner of PMC, affirmed the corporation’s commitment to intensifying vigilance efforts at chronic burning spots and enhancing enforcement measures to deter violators. Plans are underway to request additional staff from the main department of PMC to bolster surveillance and enforcement activities, particularly in open lands susceptible to illegal dumping and burning.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Shinde assured residents of swift action and stringent penalties for offenders, citing recent instances where notices were issued and fines imposed on violators in response to complaints from areas like Kalyaninagar.
The PMC’s proactive stance against illegal garbage burning is reflected in its enforcement statistics, with over 1,700 incidents addressed and fines totaling ₹9.80 lakh collected from violators between April 2023 and February 2024. However, residents advocate for sustained vigilance and intensified enforcement efforts to effectively curb the practice and safeguard public health and environmental well-being.
Sandip Kadam, head of the Solid Waste Management department at PMC, emphasized the importance of adhering to solid waste management rules and urged flying squads and sanitary staff at the ward office level to enforce regulations rigorously, ensuring compliance and accountability among stakeholders.
