Garbage Burning Continues Unchecked in Pune, PMC Takes Action in Just 3 Cases

Pune, 10th July 2025: Despite repeated complaints and visible pollution hazards, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) registered only three cases of garbage burning across the city during June, imposing fines totaling just ₹15,000. The limited enforcement has drawn sharp criticism from residents and environmentalists, who allege the civic body is failing to address the growing menace of open waste burning.

Activists say the problem persists across multiple wards, particularly along nullahs, riverbanks, and vacant plots. Incidents involve the burning of dry leaves, garden waste, plastic materials, tyres, and even unusable textiles such as old clothes and mattresses.

“Disposing of items like damaged bedding or clothing remains a challenge, and often people set them on fire. This releases toxic fumes and poses serious health risks. The situation demands a dedicated task force to monitor and act,” said a Pune-based environmentalist who preferred to remain unnamed.

NGT Questions PMC’s Response
The city’s inaction has also caught the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), whose western zonal bench last week questioned the PMC’s enforcement measures. The civic body has been directed to file a comprehensive response within two weeks, addressing the action taken against such environmental violations.

PMC Claims Action Is Ongoing
PMC officials, however, insist they are actively working to reduce such incidents. According to Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s Solid Waste Management Department, dedicated squads are deployed to monitor chronic locations and take punitive action.

“We’ve observed a decline in such cases due to increased awareness and past enforcement. Regular patrols are being carried out, and night shifts have been introduced to maintain cleanliness and monitor offenders,” Kadam said.

The civic body claims it is acting under the guidelines of its solid waste management policy, which includes penalising violators and cleaning up hotspots regularly.

As pollution levels climb and complaints mount, citizens and experts alike are calling for a more structured, transparent, and accountable response from PMC to tackle illegal waste burning across the city.