Pune: Balewadi Residents Inhaling Toxic Fumes of Plastic Burns, PMC & PCMC Dodge The Complaints to Each Other

Mehab Qureshi

Pune, October 10, 2020: Burnt plastic odour and smoke is giving sleepless nights to the residents of Water Edge Society located beside the bank of Mula river in Balewadi. Residents are breathing toxic gas emitted from the burning fumes of plastic which are extremely bad for the lungs and respiratory system.

“Many residents are complaining about thick smoke, foul odour filling their homes, difficulty in breathing and irritation in their throats,” said Mohit Gundecha, resident of the Water Edge society.

When Aruna Joysula raised the issue with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the complainant was told to contact Pune Municipal Corporation(PMC). “An agent who was assigned to this complaint just called me in the morning to say this area falls under PMC and that they are closing the ticket”, said Joysula. “This burning of tyres and plastic has become round the clock ritual, it keeps happening the entire day without any rhyme or reason to why they’re doing it. We are inhaling the toxic gas, my kids are complaining about congestion issues, and metal tastes in their mouth,” she added. As directed by the PCMC, Joysula also contacted PMC on Thursday. However, no action in this matter has been taken yet.

Another resident of Water edge Society, Aruna Gannavarapu too said, “yes, I can see multiple burning sites popping up along the riverside now. It’s perilous!.

Punekarnews.in raised this issue with Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Aundh-Baner ward Jaydeep Pawar, he said, “This area doesn’t fall under our jurisdiction, but under PCMC. However, I will send a team who will accompany the complainant and visit the spot, and further action will be taken place”.