Pune: Repeated Warnings Ignored? Garbage Fire Near Solapur Bazaar Puts Focus on Civic Neglect
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Camp, 9th June 2026: A major fire broke out in accumulated garbage along a canal near Mahatma Gandhi Bus Stop in Solapur Bazaar, Ward No. 5 of the Pune Cantonment Board area on Tuesday morning, once again highlighting concerns over waste dumping and cleanliness along the canal stretch.
According to Fire Brigade Superintendent Rohit Ranpise Tandel, a fire call was received at 9:13 a.m. regarding a garbage fire near the canal on the Pune-Solapur Highway. Firefighting teams were immediately dispatched and reached the spot by 9:16 a.m., supported by water tankers from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune Cantonment Board.
After an extensive firefighting operation, the blaze was brought under control by approximately 11:50 a.m. Officials confirmed that no casualties or property damage were reported in the incident.
The operation was carried out by fire brigade personnel, including Dinesh Shinde, Vishal Dagade, Navnath Chavan, Mahesh Jagtap and Vikas Survas.
Local resident Akash Chavan alleged that large quantities of garbage and debris have remained piled up along the canal for a prolonged period despite repeated complaints to the authorities. Residents claim the accumulated waste has created unhygienic conditions and posed a serious threat to public safety. They further alleged that a damaged section of a wall near the canal had remained concealed beneath the garbage and debris.
Irrigation Department’s Stand
According to official correspondence issued by the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, the department had repeatedly brought the issue of garbage accumulation along the canal to the attention of the concerned authorities.
In letters addressed to the Pune Cantonment Board, the Irrigation Department stated that while the canal falls under its jurisdiction for water management and maintenance of canal infrastructure, the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste are the responsibility of the local civic body. The department noted that garbage dumped along and inside the canal was creating environmental concerns and adversely affecting the surrounding area.
The department further informed the Pune Cantonment Board about the persistent accumulation of waste and requested immediate action for its removal. The correspondence indicates that concerns regarding the issue were raised on multiple occasions.
Residents Seek Permanent Solution
Following Tuesday’s fire, residents have demanded the immediate removal of garbage from the canal area and the implementation of a permanent mechanism to maintain cleanliness along the stretch.
Locals expressed concern that the incident could have escalated into a major disaster had the flames spread to nearby structures or affected traffic on the busy Pune-Solapur Highway.
The incident has once again underscored the urgent need for coordinated action by the Pune Cantonment Board, the Irrigation Department and other concerned agencies to address waste accumulation along the canal and prevent similar incidents in the future.
