Pune: Hundreds of Housing Societies Bypassing On-Site Waste Rules, PMC Initiates Inspection

Pune, 20th November 2025: Raising serious concerns about on-site waste treatment across the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ordered an urgent inspection of hundreds of housing societies and commercial complexes after preliminary findings indicated that 400 to 500 wet waste composting units may no longer be operational.

The directive was issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur during a virtual review meeting held with senior officials from the Solid Waste Management Department and ward-level health inspectors.

PMC records show that around 2,000 establishments in the city generate more than 100 kg of wet waste daily, qualifying them as “bulk waste generators” under the 2000 Development Control Rules. These entities are legally required to process wet waste within their premises.

However, civic officials admitted that many such decentralised composting projects have collapsed over time due to poor maintenance, negligence, or lack of technical know-how—forcing a substantial volume of untreated waste into PMC’s already strained collection system.

Kaur has instructed officials to carry out a citywide inspection over the next week to verify the exact number of non-functioning compost units. The audit will also examine functioning systems to determine whether they are delivering the results claimed by society managements.

A detailed report on the causes of system failures—including mechanical breakdowns, manpower issues, or operational lapses—has been sought from the respective ward offices.

To strengthen compliance, PMC directed its 17 empanelled private agencies to proactively support housing societies and commercial establishments in restarting or upgrading their waste-processing infrastructure. These agencies are tasked with offering technical guidance, troubleshooting issues, and helping revive dormant units.

PTC officials further revealed that limited capacity at PMC’s centralised wet waste plants has led to a portion of the city’s waste being supplied directly to farmers for agricultural use. A recent complaint, however, exposed irregularities—mixed waste was allegedly sent under the guise of segregated wet waste—prompting the civic body to launch an inquiry.

Additional Commissioner Kaur said that only after the survey concludes will PMC have a clear picture of the scale of non-compliance.
“Any society or establishment generating more than 100 kg of waste per day must compulsorily treat it on-site. The PMC will ensure strict enforcement of this mandate,” she stated.