Pune: Hinjawadi Residents Demand Action as Air Pollution Worsens Due to Development; CPCB Directs Authorities to Act
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Hinjawadi, 19th April 2025: Pune’s Hinjawadi Phase 3, particularly the Megapolis Township, is grappling with severe dust pollution caused by ongoing construction activities, prompting residents to seek urgent intervention. For over a year, multiple construction sites in the area have emitted large amounts of dust and cement debris, significantly deteriorating air quality and affecting the health of thousands, including schoolchildren at the nearby Pawar Public School.
The Megapolis Township, home to thousands of residents, includes several societies such as Sangria Towers, Sparklet, Sunway, Splendour, Mystic, and others, all affected by the pollution. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the worsening conditions, citing frequent breathing difficulties and constant dust infiltration, despite prior assurances from the authorities.
Rahul Potdar, a resident of Splendour Housing Society in Megapolis, told Punekar News, “Various construction projects have been going on around here. The dust problem is severe. My family and I are experiencing breathing problems due to the construction. Even though I live on the 10th floor, the problem is so severe that we see dust even minutes after cleaning. I don’t think the construction sites are taking measures to prevent this. This should stop.”
Residents’ complaints gained traction after the Megapolis Hinjawadi Residents’ X (formerly Twitter) page posted a video highlighting the dust pollution caused by mud and debris on roads near the Sparklet bus stop, urging authorities to “Please concrete it” to reduce dust.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) responded to these concerns by directing the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take action, stating, “@mpcb_official Please take action against the complaint received at CPCB and update action taken with reference to this Complaint ID–TW 21-19931.”
Despite this official response, residents remain sceptical, noting that previous promises by authorities have not translated into effective measures. They report that construction trucks spill cement and debris on township roads, which, combined with heavy traffic, worsens dust levels. The problem is exacerbated by inadequate road cleaning and traffic diversions due to metro construction work.
The area’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached alarming levels, severely impacting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has acknowledged the issue, with regional officers pledging on-site surveys and enforcement actions. However, construction dust complaints continue to rise across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, leading to stop-work notices and fines for non-compliant sites—yet the problem persists in rapidly developing zones like Hinjawadi.
