PMC Commissioner’s Surprise Visit Exposes Pune’s Cleanliness Claims; Rs 55 Crore Vehicle Maintenance Proposal Rejected
Pune, 8th July 8, 2025: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Chief Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram’s sudden inspection of the Warje area today laid bare the ground reality of the city’s cleanliness efforts. Piles of garbage on the roads, unswept streets, and absentee sanitation workers revealed a stark contrast to the civic body’s claims.
As soon as the Commissioner questioned officials over the phone, sanitation workers rushed to the spot. However, the issue isn’t limited to Warje alone, PMC already has records showing that over 40% of street-cleaning staff are regularly absent from duty. It has also come to light that many draw PMC salaries but send substitutes to perform their duties.
Despite the large funds allocated for cleanliness, visible improvements remain lacking. Commissioner Ram has warned of stricter monitoring going forward. Just last week, he launched a citywide cleanliness campaign alongside District Collector Jitendra Dudi. However, today’s visit clearly indicates that progress is still largely confined to paper.
Rs 55 Crore Proposal for Vehicle Maintenance Rejected
PMC had proposed a Rs 55 crore budget for maintaining and repairing 80 ‘Chhota Hathi’ mini garbage collection vehicles. Commissioner Ram outright rejected the proposal, questioning the justification for such a massive expenditure on low-capacity vehicles.
“The municipal budget must be spent wisely and in appropriate amounts. Measures are being taken to ensure both efficiency and accountability,” the Commissioner said.
Citizens now expect the administration to act firmly and translate its cleanliness promises into real, on-ground improvements.
