Pune: Hinjawadi’s Garbage Crisis Threatens Mula River, Poses Health Risk to Entire Pune District

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Hinjawadi, 10th June 2025: Residents of Pune’s IT hub, Hinjawadi, are grappling with multiple serious issues, leading to a deteriorating standard of living. A particularly pressing problem is the growing garbage crisis, especially affecting residents of Blue Ridge Township and surrounding areas. This issue is not confined to Hinjawadi alone, it poses a larger threat to the entire Pune district, as the waste is reportedly seeping into the Mula River, which flows through the entire region.

Just 500 metres behind Blue Ridge Township lies a massive heap of unattended garbage. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to take action. Residents have approached multiple agencies, Pune Zilla Parishad, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and local gram panchayats, but each has deflected responsibility, citing jurisdictional limitations.

The garbage dump, although a few hundred metres from the river basin, is directly connected to the Mula River via a small stream. Due to recent rainfall, toxic runoff from the waste has likely entered the river. As a result, the area is plagued by a persistent foul smell. Residents say the stench is constant and unbearable, affecting their quality of life.

Reports claim that the land where mountains of garbage have accumulated belongs to a farmer who has leased it to someone else exclusively for garbage dumping. Sources told Punekar News that the land is, in fact, embroiled in controversy, and the garbage dumping is actually a “revenge” attempt, with residents becoming collateral damage.

Woes of Residents

Ankit, a Blue Ridge resident, said, “There’s a dumping ground near Blue Ridge emitting toxic gases and causing a terrible smell. I believe this is illegal. We urge the authorities to act immediately.”

Rachana, another resident, added, “For over a year, a massive garbage dump has existed here. It started as construction debris, but now it’s mixed waste. We can’t enjoy fresh air despite living in such expensive homes.”

Supriya stated, “Blue Ridge used to be a paradise. Now, illegal dumping has turned it into a health hazard for children, adults, and senior citizens alike. Authorities must intervene.”

Himanshu Chaddha remarked, “The smell is unbearable. Someone is dumping garbage here intentionally. It’s harassment, and authorities appear indifferent and incapable of managing it.”

Niranjan, another resident, provided a broader perspective: “The garbage water is mixing with the Mula River, which flows through the entire Pune district. This issue goes beyond Blue Ridge, it’s a public health concern that must be addressed urgently.”

Authorities’ Responses

Taking note of the situation, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) responded to a post by the BRAVE Hinjawadi account on X (formerly Twitter), and directed the MPCB to take action, referencing Complaint ID TW 21-20477.

Vikram Sakhare, a former sarpanch of the Hinjawadi Gram Panchayat and currently a member, told Punekar News, “The garbage dumping site is located on the border of our jurisdiction. We have cleared the garbage on our side, but a lot still remains. We’ve heard it’s private land owned by a farmer who has leased it out to someone else for garbage dumping. We have informed the relevant authorities to look into the matter, as the problem is severe.”

Attempts were made to reach out to multiple MPCB officials regarding this issue, but none were available for comment. Residents also mentioned that, since Hinjawadi is a complex area governed by several authorities, the MPCB is the only agency that could clarify which authority is responsible for the region. However, even the residents were unable to reach MPCB officials.

Is the Entire Pune District in Danger?
The Mula River originates near Aamby Valley in the Sahyadri hills and is dammed at Mulshi. Flowing eastward through major areas like Hinjawadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune, it merges with the Mutha River at Sangamwadi to form the Mula-Mutha River. This combined river continues its journey eastward to meet the Bhima, then the Krishna, and ultimately flows into the Bay of Bengal. If toxic waste from Hinjawadi is indeed mixing with the river at such an early stage, it could contaminate downstream regions and pose severe health risks across the entire district.

Anonymous Garbage Burning: Residents Patrol to Identify the Source
Residents of Blue Ridge told Punekar News that the smell of burning garbage is frequently noticeable at night. “Though we cannot determine the exact source, it’s definitely nearby. We’ve approached the authorities, including the police, but our complaints are often ignored. Sacrificing our jobs and rest hours, we even started patrolling the area at night ourselves but couldn’t identify the source,” one resident said. “The smell is so strong that it engulfs the entire area. We urge the authorities to take this issue seriously.”