Pimpri Chinchwad: Residents of Wakad and Tathawade Protest Against Rising Air Pollution, Demand Immediate Action

Wakad, 8th March 2025: Frustrated by increasing air pollution due to cement dust and construction debris, over 500 residents from 22 housing societies in Wakad and Tathawade staged a silent protest, urging authorities to take immediate action. The demonstrators, including senior citizens, women, and children, marched peacefully to demand cleaner air and healthier living conditions.

Organized by the Wakad-Tathawade Housing Societies Forum, the protest began at Kohinoor Courtyard One Society, passed through Indira School Road, and concluded at Wakadkar Chowk. Residents voiced concerns over the deteriorating air quality caused by dust from ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, ongoing construction activities, and heavy vehicular emissions.

“We are breathing polluted air every day, and our children are suffering. Many residents, especially senior citizens and pregnant women, are experiencing respiratory illnesses, skin allergies, and eye infections,” said a protestor.

Despite multiple complaints to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), residents claimed that no substantial measures had been taken.

“The air quality around Shani Mandir and Indira School Road has deteriorated to dangerous levels. The roads are covered in cement dust, affecting public health and increasing the risk of accidents,” said another resident.

Residents’ Key Demands:
Regular road cleaning with water sprays twice a day
Installation of ‘water spray’ systems to control dust pollution
Strict cleanliness measures in public spaces
Holding transporters accountable for spillage of cement and gravel
Implementation of a sanitation campaign to prevent respiratory issues
Proper maintenance of trees along Shani Mandir to Marunji Road
With thousands of families affected, residents demand urgent intervention from civic authorities to ensure cleaner air and safer roads.