Garbage, Stench and Stray Animals: Kondhwa Residents Raise Alarm Over Waste Mismanagement
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Kondhwa, 3rd June 2026: A growing waste management problem in Kondhwa Khurd has sparked concern among residents of Bramha Avenue and nearby housing societies, who allege that continuous garbage dumping along the bypass road opposite the residential complex is creating serious environmental and public health hazards.
The affected residential cluster, located behind Bramha Avenue, comprises more than 5,000 flats. Residents claim that several housing societies in the area lack a proper waste collection mechanism or designated disposal point, resulting in garbage being dumped openly along the roadside on a daily basis.
Over time, the issue has escalated into a major civic concern. In addition to household wet and dry waste, the dumping site has become a repository for bulky discarded items, including mattresses, pillows, broken furniture, plastic waste, and electronic items, many of which remain unattended for days.
Residents say the accumulating garbage has led to foul odours, unhygienic conditions, and an increase in stray animal activity. They fear the situation could worsen during the monsoon season, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and sanitation-related problems.
Kunal Hemrajani, a resident of Bramha Avenue, expressed frustration over the recurring issue.
“For the past several months, residents of Bramha Avenue and nearby societies have been facing serious problems due to continuous garbage dumping on the bypass road. The foul smell, unhygienic surroundings, and increasing stray animal movement have become a daily concern for families living here. Despite repeated cleaning drives, the problem keeps returning because there is no permanent waste management system in place. We urge the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate and long-term action to resolve this issue permanently,” Hemrajani said.
Responding to the complaints, Sheetal Wakade, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of the Bibwewadi Regional Office, said the PMC has already conducted cleaning operations at the site.
“We have carried out garbage clearance operations at the location. However, the primary issue is that some residents from Shivneri Nagar continue to dump waste in the area, leading to repeated accumulation despite regular cleaning efforts. We are continuously monitoring the situation and ensuring cleanliness. I assure citizens that the Pune Municipal Corporation will work towards finding a permanent solution to this issue at the earliest,” Wakade said.
PMC Sanitation Inspector Rahul Bhate also acknowledged the challenge and said efforts are underway to improve waste management in the locality.
“At present, I am personally supervising the cleaning operations in this area, which has now been brought under this ward’s jurisdiction. The issue is largely linked to waste disposal by residents from nearby Shivneri Nagar. We charge a nominal fee of ₹90 for garbage collection services in such residential areas, and PMC has also partnered with an NGO to strengthen cleanliness management. We will continue working on the issue and explore additional measures to ensure a permanent solution,” Bhate said.
Residents have demanded that the PMC identify the root cause of the problem and establish a dedicated and sustainable waste collection system for the rapidly growing residential area instead of relying solely on periodic clean-up drives.
The issue once again highlights the increasing pressure on Pune’s urban infrastructure and underscores the need for stronger waste management practices, improved civic planning, and greater public participation in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
