Pune: Residents Allege Illegal Dumping Destroying Natural Drain and Burial Ground in Keshavnagar, Warn of Protest
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Keshavnagar, 2nd July 2026 : Residents of Keshavnagar have alleged that large-scale illegal dumping of construction debris and excavated material from nearby real estate projects is destroying a natural drainage channel, encroaching upon the Mula-Mutha riverbed, and damaging the burial ground of the Kanjar-Bhat community. They have demanded immediate action from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district authorities, warning of an agitation if the encroachment is not removed and the area restored.
According to local residents, excess excavated material and construction debris generated by builders in the Mundhwa-Keshavnagar area are being dumped indiscriminately into the riverbed and natural drainage channels in PMC Ward No. 15. They claim the dumping has blocked the natural watercourse between Survey Nos. 6 and 14, affecting areas near Kulaleshwar Mahadev Temple, the Keshavnagar Last Bus Stop, and the nearby garbage processing facility.
Residents further alleged that the dumping has also damaged the traditional burial ground of the Kanjar-Bhat community situated on government grazing (gairan) land along the riverbank, where local families have buried their deceased for generations.
Expressing outrage, community members questioned who was shielding those responsible and asked why civic authorities had failed to stop the alleged illegal activity despite repeated complaints.
> “The destruction of our community’s burial ground and the graves of our ancestors has deeply hurt the sentiments of local residents. This is not just an environmental issue but also an attack on our cultural and religious heritage.” said Aniket Gagde of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Residents also warned that the dumping poses serious environmental and public safety risks, including flooding during the monsoon.
> “By filling up the natural drainage channel with construction debris, a serious flood threat has been created for our settlement. The destruction of the natural ecosystem has also affected the availability of clean air and green cover in the area,” said Nilesh Thorat, President of Samyak Kranti Dal.
Local activists alleged that the dumping has been continuing unchecked for several years despite repeated representations to government authorities.
> “Construction debris has been dumped here continuously since 2021. We have raised this issue through news reports, Mohalla Committee meetings, and written complaints, but no concrete action has been taken. The dumping has destroyed trees, biodiversity, and natural oxygen-generating green spaces, altered the course of the drainage channels, and increased the risk of flooding. PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram should personally inspect the site and initiate strict action against those responsible,” said Anil Bhandwalkar, Member of the Mohalla Committee for the Hadapsar-Keshavnagar-Manjari-Shewalewadi Regional Office.
Residents have demanded immediate legal action against those responsible for the alleged dumping and restoration of the affected riverbed, natural drain, and burial ground to their original condition.
They warned that if authorities fail to act, a joint protest will be launched against the Pune City Tehsildar, Pune District Collector, PMC Commissioner, Property Department, Health Department, and the Hadapsar-Keshavnagar-Manjari Regional Office. The warning has been issued by Nilesh Thorat (Samyak Kranti Dal), Aniket Gagde (Aam Aadmi Party), Mahadev Dandi, President of the Hadapsar Assembly Constituency unit of the Republican Party of India (RPI), and Sudhir Shrivastav, Director of the Keshavnagar Welfare Association.
Residents have urged the administration to conduct an immediate site inspection, remove the illegally dumped debris, restore the natural drainage system, and take stringent action against those found responsible.
