Pune: PMC Files FIR Against Builder For Dumping Construction Debris In Mutha River
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Shivajinagar, 12th February 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal dumping of construction debris into the Mutha riverbed, with criminal action being initiated against contractors and builder Akansha Developers found violating environmental norms. PMC has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the builder and also sealed the construction site.
The debris are from slum rehabilitation project in Tofkhana area of Shivajinagar, which is being constructed by Akansha Developers.
The action follows widespread outrage after photos and videos surfaced showing rubble and soil being dumped directly into the flowing river near Tilak Bridge and the Amruteshwar Temple area.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the civic body would take a zero-tolerance approach to such violations.
“Dumping debris into the riverbed is a serious offence that endangers public safety and the environment. We have ordered criminal cases against contractors who are found throwing construction waste into the river or any public place. No one will be spared,” Ram said.
Residents of Shivajinagar and nearby localities reported seeing trucks unloading soil, stones and cement waste straight into the river channel, raising fears of flooding during the monsoon due to the narrowing of the natural watercourse.
Environmental activists warned that such activities directly undermine the objectives of Pune’s Riverfront Development (RFD) project.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said special squads have been deployed to trace the origin of the debris and identify the responsible projects.
“We have instructed our teams to locate the source of the dumped material and the specific construction sites involved. Immediate ‘stop work’ notices are being issued wherever violations are found,” Kaur said.
She added that PMC is taking multiple punitive steps against offenders. “Along with filing criminal cases, we will seize vehicles used for illegal dumping and revoke the licences of repeat offenders. Contractors who continue to violate norms will be blacklisted and barred from future civic work,” she said.
Although PMC has set up a construction and demolition waste processing plant at Wagholi, officials said many contractors bypass it to avoid transport costs. To address this, the administration is strengthening monitoring and accountability.
“We are introducing a structured inspection system. CCTV surveillance and physical inspections every three days will be carried out. Responsibility will be fixed at the level of junior engineers and site supervisors,” Kaur said.
