Balewadi Residents Urge PMC to Act as Air Pollution Worsens in Pune Suburb
Balewadi, 9th February 2026: Residents of Balewadi have raised serious concerns over deteriorating air quality in the area and urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate action to control rising pollution levels.
In a formal representation submitted to the Municipal Commissioner, the Balewadi Welfare Federation said the right to clean air is part of the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The group pointed out that despite clear provisions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and Pune’s own city action plan, enforcement on the ground remains weak.
The residents noted that although the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) issued guidelines to PMC in November 2023 and directions have also come from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and the Bombay High Court in Suo Motu PIL No. 3 of 2023, Balewadi continues to suffer from unchecked pollution. They alleged that PMC has not yet adopted the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is mandatory for cities facing serious air quality issues.
With metro construction, large-scale building projects, road dust, and heavy traffic, Balewadi has turned into what residents describe as a pollution hotspot. Citizens say many people are experiencing respiratory problems, eye irritation, allergies, headaches, and fatigue due to poor air quality. They also cited repeated media reports highlighting Pune’s worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) and its impact on public health.
A major concern raised in the letter is the lack of real-time air quality monitoring in Balewadi. The federation has demanded the installation of a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in the area. They said that without live data, rising levels of PM2.5 and PM10 remain undocumented. Since Pune is classified as a non-attainment city under the NCAP, continuous monitoring is a statutory requirement.
The residents have also sought strict action on construction and demolition waste. They have asked PMC to ensure that all sites install dust-proof barriers, use licensed carriers for debris transport, and stop dumping waste on roadsides, footpaths, vacant plots, and public spaces.
They further demanded that metro and large construction projects comply with PMC’s circular mandating real-time sensor-based AQI displays at sites, regular dust suppression through sprinklers and misting, wheel-washing facilities at exits, and surprise inspections to enforce CPCB’s dust mitigation norms.
Other demands include better control of road dust through daily sweeping, mechanised cleaning, and the use of dust suppression vehicles; stricter monitoring of ready-mix concrete plants; expansion of green buffers with native species; and stronger enforcement against open burning.
The Balewadi Welfare Federation has urged PMC to act without delay, warning that continued inaction could seriously endanger public health, especially that of children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups.
