Pune: Punawale Residents Stage ‘Silent’ Bell Ringing Protest Against Waste Depot Project; Cite Health and Sanitation Concerns

Varad Bhatkhande
Punawale, 3rd December 2023: A ‘silent’ bell ringing protest was organised in Punawale today, targeting the upcoming Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project Garbage depot proposed by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The bell-ringing protest aimed to ‘wake’ the PCMC administration, which has been disregarding the concerns and requests of Punawale residents.

The protest, which occurred near Lotus Business School in Punawale from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, sought to address various concerns raised by Punawale residents regarding the SWM project. Issues encompassed sanitation, health-related matters, and observations of the adverse effects witnessed in Moshi, where a previous garbage depot was situated.

This protest follows earlier collaborative efforts by the Punawale Residents Group and Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Society Federation, including a bike rally and chipko movement at the beginning of November. The proposal for the SWM garbage depot dates back to 2008 when Punawale’s population was considerably smaller. However, given the rapid urbanization, current residents strongly oppose the project. In solidarity, citizens from nearby areas such as Hinjawadi, Wakad, Ravet, Shinde Wasti, Jambhale, and more are also participating in the protest. Despite the lower turnout compared to the previous bike rally and chipko movement, the bell-ringing protest effectively conveyed the residents’ dissent.

Several key members of the Punawale residents’ core team opposing the proposed SWM garbage depot, including Navnath Dhavale, Mayur Patil, Atul Kate, Nitesh Kumar, and others, were in attendance. The PCMC is actively pursuing plans to acquire 23 hectares of land for a waste depot in Punawale. Simultaneously, the Forest Department will be procuring 23 hectares of private land adjacent to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district as part of an exchange.

In response to these developments, residents of Punawale raised slogans, questioning the benefits for their community, expressing concerns about the decision to purchase homes in the area, and vehemently demanding the cancellation of the proposed SWM Garbage Depot. The sentiments expressed by the residents underscore the intensity of their opposition and their dissatisfaction with the proposed waste management project in their locality.

Social Worker Navnath Dhavale conveyed, “We are opposing this proposed SWM garbage depot from the start and will continue to do so. In the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature Assembly at Nagpur, we are going with our team to make the demands and showcase our opposition there.”

Mayur Patil, a Core Team Member opposing the proposed SWM Garbage Depot, expressed, “We are still quietly opposing this. But if the administration doesn’t listen to us, we will be forced to take an aggressive approach. If they won’t listen, we will take more than 10,000 bikes and go to the PCMC office in Pimpri to show our opposition.”

Pune: Punawale Residents Stage 'Silent' Bell Ringing Protest Against Waste Depot Project; Cite Health and Sanitation Concerns @PCMCSarathi @pcmcindiagovin @supriya_sule

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— Punekar News (@punekarnews) December 3, 2023