PMC Warns Private Landowners Near Pune Airport: Clean Up in 7 Days or Face Land Seizure

Lohgaon, 20th July 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a stern warning to private landowners around Pune Airport in Lohgaon, directing them to clear garbage and control noise in their open spaces within seven days, or risk losing possession of their land under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.

The directive came during an inspection on Saturday by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, who visited the areas around the airport where large amounts of waste have been reported. The presence of garbage has led to increased bird activity, posing a threat to aircraft during take-off and landing.

“Garbage in open areas attracts birds, which creates a major safety risk for flight operations. Landowners will be served notice and must clean their plots within a week. If not, the PMC will act as per the law and take over the land due to public health hazards,” said Commissioner Ram.

The inspection was carried out in the presence of Additional Commissioner M.J. Pradeep Chandran, City Engineer Prashant Waghmare, Road Department’s Aniruddha Pawaskar, Deputy Commissioner Madhav Jagtap, and officials including Sandeep Kadam and Prashant Thombre, along with representatives from the Airport Authority of India. The inspection follows recent directions from Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol, who had raised the issue in a high-level meeting.

PMC also announced that a special cleanliness campaign will be launched in Wagholi, including areas around the vegetable market, where roadside garbage dumping has become rampant. “Strict action will be taken against those found littering public spaces. Penalties will be imposed if necessary,” civic officials said.

In addition, the Cantonment Board areas are also under scrutiny. Open dumping has been reported in various parts of the cantonment, prompting PMC to call for a joint meeting with the Cantonment Board on July 21 to coordinate a waste management strategy.

Meanwhile, complaints are mounting against the Swachh Sanstha workers, who are reportedly refusing to collect garbage from households that fail to pay collection fees. Civic officials clarified that no agency has the right to deny waste collection under any circumstances.

“If Swachh Sanstha workers are found dumping garbage or refusing service, their contract will be cancelled. The Municipal Corporation is already considering appointing an alternative agency in such areas,” said a senior PMC official.

With mounting concerns over public health, aviation safety, and sanitation, the PMC is set to tighten enforcement and hold both private landowners and civic contractors accountable in the days to come.