Pune: PCMC Withdraws Garbage Depot Plan in Punawale Amid Public Outcry, Land Reallocated for Convention Center
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 22nd May 2025: In a major win for citizens, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has officially scrapped its long-standing plan to establish a garbage depot in Punawale. The land, initially reserved in 2008 for waste management purposes, will now be repurposed for commercial development, including the construction of a convention centre, under the newly revised development plan.
The decision follows years of persistent opposition from residents of Punawale and neighboring localities like Hinjawadi, Marunji, and Tathawade. When the original reservation was made in 2008, Punawale was a sparsely populated area, and PCMC had earmarked 22.8 hectares of forest department land for future waste disposal infrastructure. However, in the 17 years since, the area has seen rapid urbanization and now hosts over one lakh residents.
The region’s popularity has surged due to its green surroundings, proximity to the IT hub, and the presence of reputed educational institutions. When PCMC attempted to revive the garbage depot plan last year, it triggered a wave of public protests. Residents organized rallies, motorbike processions, human chains, and even a “chipko” movement to protect the local ecology. Former MLA Ashwini Jagtap raised the issue in the Maharashtra Legislature, prompting the state government to place the project on hold.
With the depot reservation now officially cancelled in the revised development blueprint, the land will instead be allocated for commercial projects, including shops and a large convention center. The civic administration is actively pursuing the formal transfer of the land from the forest department to proceed with this new vision.
As part of the original plan, PCMC had deposited ₹3.57 crore with the forest department for compensatory afforestation and had also proposed to acquire 23 hectares of land in Chandrapur district as an alternative site. With the depot plan now defunct, PCMC has initiated the process to recover the funds earmarked for afforestation.
City waste management will continue to be handled at the Moshi depot, which features a scientifically developed waste processing system. The facility converts wet waste into compost and repurposes dry waste for electricity and fuel generation. A biomining project is also underway at Moshi, making it the primary center for scientific waste treatment in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Commenting on the development, PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, “We have honored the public’s sentiments. The Punawale garbage depot reservation has been officially removed, and our waste disposal operations remain efficiently managed at Moshi.”
Deputy Director of Town Planning Prasad Gaikwad confirmed that the civic body is working with the forest department to finalize the land transfer for its new commercial use.
