Pune: Loni Kalbhor Reports Massive Illegal Dumping; Panchayat Demands Urgent Action
Loni Kalbhor, 15th November 2025: An escalating environmental crisis has gripped Loni Kalbhor and the adjoining Wadala Vasti, where unchecked illegal dumping of waste has reportedly turned vast areas into toxic zones. The Loni Kalbhor Gram Panchayat has now lodged a formal complaint with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), alleging years of negligence and seeking immediate corrective action.
According to the complaint filed by Sarpanch Nagesh Kalbhor, the PMC has been disposing of massive quantities of mixed waste—including plastic, wet garbage, medical waste, and dry refuse—on forest patches and private lands for several years. The accumulated waste, spread across nearly 1.5 sq km, has created severe ecological damage and sparked widespread public outrage.
Groundwater at risk: Leachate poisoning wells
The waste piles are reportedly releasing toxic leachate, which has been flowing into a local stream and infiltrating several wells—7 to 8 of them along the route.
As a result, families who once relied on groundwater have been forced to purchase RO water for drinking and daily use, citing foul smell, discoloration, and suspected contamination.
Villagers say dumping operations intensify after dark, with 10–12 trucks arriving every night to offload waste illegally. This, they claim, has continued despite a Gram Sabha resolution passed on June 5, 2025, which categorically prohibited any waste dumping within panchayat limits.
Panchayat seeks urgent intervention
The Gram Panchayat has demanded a multi-pronged response from authorities, including:
-Immediate on-site inspection of all dumping locations
-Complete removal of accumulated waste
-Disciplinary action against officials and contractors involved
-Scientific testing of soil and water, along with public disclosure of results
-Restoration of safe drinking water and a pollution-free environment
Residents report an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, respiratory issues, contaminated water in borewells, and an unbearable stench that worsens during monsoon as toxic runoff spreads across farmlands and water sources.
Despite several reminders, villagers say the PMC has not taken action, compelling the Panchayat to escalate the issue.
Sarpanch Nagesh Kalbhor issued a strong statement, saying, “Pollution and diseases have risen sharply because of this dumping. Farmers and villagers are suffering every day. Our Gram Sabha had passed a clear resolution, yet the administration ignored us. We now expect strict and immediate action.”
