Pune: A Week After Moshi Tragedy, Waste Collection Disrupted as PCMC Scrambles for Dumping Sites

Pimpri Chinchwad, 14th July 2026: A week after the Moshi waste depot tragedy that killed nine people, Pimpri Chinchwad’s waste management system has virtually collapsed, with garbage collection disrupted across the city and the civic body relying on neighbouring local bodies to dispose of daily waste.

With the Moshi waste-to-energy (WTE) plant shut since July 8 following the landfill collapse, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has sought temporary dumping arrangements with the Dehu Municipal Council, and Khadki Cantonment Board to prevent garbage from piling up.

Health department officials said the closure of the city’s only disposal facility has crippled the entire waste management chain, disrupting waste collection, transportation and disposal. Several areas have reported garbage collection delays ranging from two to five days, with waste accumulating on roadsides.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Thengal said the civic body is also using limited open spaces for temporary storage, but these are fast reaching capacity.

“Within the city, temporary storage spaces are almost full, and finding new sites is difficult because residents oppose dumping in their localities,” Thengal said. Officials said transfer stations are also nearing saturation, leaving the administration with few alternatives.

The crisis has been compounded by safety concerns at the Moshi landfill. Collection vehicles use the same approach road over the garbage mound that collapsed last week, making operations risky.

“We cannot endanger sanitation workers and drivers by sending vehicles over an unstable landfill. If the mound gives way again, it could lead to another tragedy,” Thengal said.

Municipal Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi is expected to review the situation with health department officials as the civic body explores measures to restore waste disposal operations.