Pune: MIT ADT University Students Block Garbage Vehicles Over Mula–Mutha River Dumping

Loni Kalbhor, 13th March 2026: Students of MIT ADT University have intensified their “Garbage Bandh” protest against the alleged dumping of waste into the Mula–Mutha river, accusing local gram panchayats of disposing of large quantities of garbage in the riverbed every day.

Nearly 6,000 students from the university campus renewed their agitation on Friday after a seven-day deadline given to the concerned gram panchayats expired without any concrete action. As part of the protest, students stopped garbage-laden tractors at the university’s main entrance, preventing them from entering the campus and proceeding towards the riverbed dumping site.

The protest was first launched on March 4 when students demonstrated outside the university gate and blocked waste vehicles heading towards the river. Following mediation by Pune Zone-6 Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Rajkumar Shinde, students had temporarily suspended the agitation and allowed local authorities a week to resolve the issue.

However, with dumping continuing and no alternative waste disposal arrangement made, students resumed the protest with greater intensity. Protesters said the agitation would continue until the direct dumping of garbage into the river is completely stopped.

Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have also extended support to the movement and joined the protest. In view of rising tensions between students and local gram panchayats, heavy police deployment has been made outside the university campus.

The issue turned serious after a massive fire broke out on February 26 in heaps of waste accumulated in the riverbed. The blaze continued to smoulder for four days, spreading toxic smoke across the surrounding area. Due to the smoke, six to seven students from the campus reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and suffocation and had to be hospitalised.

Following the incident, Haveli Sub-Divisional Officer Yashwant Mane, Loni Kalbhor Additional Tehsildar Trupti Kolte, along with former sarpanches and gram sevaks from nearby villages, visited the dumping site. Despite the inspections, no permanent solution has yet been implemented.
Students alleged that during the earlier protest, some gram panchayat workers attempted to drive tractors towards protesters, putting their safety at risk.

“We are demanding that dumping of garbage directly into the river be stopped immediately as it has become a serious public health concern,” said student leader Dadasaheb Bhosure.

Students claim that nearly 70 tonnes of garbage — equivalent to 35 to 40 tractor-loads — continue to be dumped into the river every day, causing foul odour, frequent fires and hazardous smoke that pose health risks to both students and nearby residents.

“After the seven-day deadline ended, we have again stopped vehicles carrying garbage from entering the riverbed,” said student Mugdha Sonawane.

Executive President of the university, Prof Dr Mangesh Karad, said the institution has always cooperated with local gram panchayats but dumping waste into the river has significantly increased air and water pollution and posed a serious threat to public health.

He added that earlier the gram panchayats themselves had passed a resolution seeking two acres of grazing land (Gat No. 2031) for a waste management project. However, the current administration has resumed dumping garbage in the river.

Karad urged authorities to adopt a conciliatory approach and immediately arrange an alternative site for scientific waste disposal to resolve the issue.