Garbage Accumulates Outside Clover Centre in Pune Cantonment as Standoff With PCB Enters Seventh Week; Citizens Seek PMC Help
Camp, 2nd December 2025: Garbage has been steadily piling up outside Clover Centre in Pune Cantonment’s Camp area for over six weeks, following a halt in waste collection by the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB). The 550-shop complex, normally a bustling commercial hub, is now facing mounting hygiene concerns, with shopkeepers, residents, daily workers, and visitors struggling to cope with the foul odour and unsanitary conditions.
Origin of the Dispute
The conflict began on October 8, when PCB CEO issued a notice accusing Clover Centre of leaving discarded clothes and other waste on public land, citing a violation under Section 289 of the Cantonment Act. The society disputes the allegation, stating that much of the waste originated from illegal hawkers operating outside the complex.
A second notice, issued on November 20, reiterated the board’s stance, emphasizing that commercial units must pay ₹500 per month for waste collection, while residential units must pay ₹50. Clover Centre residents argue that PCB’s sudden demand for backdated payments since 2017—running into lakhs of rupees—was imposed without prior discussion.
Garbage “Piling Up at Our Doorsteps”
Shalan Khandekar, chairperson of Clover Centre Society, said the disruption in waste collection has created a public nuisance.
“For more than forty years, our staff have responsibly segregated and handed over waste to PCB. It has always worked. Suddenly, PCB has stopped collecting it, leaving heaps of garbage outside our shops. Thousands of people visit this centre daily—this is not acceptable,” she said.
Khandekar also called the demand for retroactive fees “unrealistic and punitive.”
“They want ₹125 per unit from 2017 onwards. This totals several lakhs. Our society cannot bear such a burden,” she added.
Health Concerns Rise
Residents and visitors are increasingly worried about public health. Jai Narwani, a local resident, said:
“Children, elderly people, and families come here every day. The inside of Clover Centre is always clean, but the outside has turned into a health hazard beyond our control.”
Shopkeepers fear that prolonged neglect may hurt business and tarnish Clover Centre’s reputation as a family-friendly marketplace.
Citizens Approach PMC for Intervention
After repeated appeals to PCB failed to yield results, Clover Centre residents and shopkeepers have now approached the Pune Municipal Commissioner for help.
“We are citizens of Pune too. When PCB did not respond, we had no choice but to approach PMC. Our goal is a practical solution that restores cleanliness and dignity to our community,” said Khandekar.
She stressed the wider impact:
“This issue affects everyone—shop staff, senior citizens, and families. It is no longer just a society problem; it has become a public health concern. PMC’s intervention is necessary.”
Standoff Persists
Despite growing heaps of garbage, rising health concerns, and appeals for intervention, the dispute between Clover Centre and PCB remains unresolved. Citizens continue to demand urgent, coordinated action from authorities to restore hygiene and normalcy to one of Camp’s busiest commercial areas.
