Pune: Residents Protest Proposed PCMC Garbage Depot In Punawale With Bike Rally And Chipko Movement
Varad Bhatkhande
Punawale, 5th November 2023: Punawale Residents Group and Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Society Federation jointly organized a bike rally and chipko movement in the Punawale area today from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event, which started at 18 Latitude Mall Punawale, was organized in opposition to a proposed Solid Waste Management garbage depot in the area by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The proposal to create the garbage depot dates back to 2008 when the population in Punawale was significantly smaller. However, with urbanization in full swing, the current residents are vehemently opposing the project. Citizens from neighbouring areas such as Hinjawadi, Wakad, Ravet, Shinde Wasti, Jambhale, and others also joined in the protest.
Approximately 500 people participated in the movement, with the bike rally commencing from 18 Latitude Mall Punawale and following a designated route through Koyre Wasti, Shinde Wasti, Life Republic by Kolte-Patil, Marunji Village, Lakshmi Chowk, Bhumkar Chowk, the Tathawade underpass, and Punawale Kolte Wasti, concluding their ride at the proposed location for the Solid Waste Management project’s garbage depot.
Pimpri Chinchwad traffic police provided instructions to ensure smooth traffic flow.
During the rally, protesters were vocal in their demands, shouting slogans such as “Stop the SWM project” and questioning whether they had made a mistake by choosing to reside in Punawale. At one point, some of the protesters even climbed onto a garbage truck to make their proclamation.
The rally concluded at the proposed site for the SWM garbage depot, where protesters voiced their demands. Notable figures in attendance included Chinchwad constituency MLA Ashwini Jagtap, former chairman of Pimpri Chinchwad Education Board Chetan Bhujbal, and Vice President of Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation Sachin Londhe.
MLA Ashwini Jagtap stated, “I comprehend the frustration and inconvenience that garbage can cause in our homes. I fully understand how the residents of Punawale must be feeling. We must come together and raise our concerns with a unified voice against the administration. I am committed to ensuring that the garbage depot doesn’t get established here.”
Chetan Bhujbal said, “Back in 2008, we even organized roadblock protests when this proposal first came up, but no decision was made then. Our aim remains the same: to safeguard the natural beauty of our home, and we are resolute in our opposition to the SWM project.”
Housing Federation Vice President Sachin Londhe emphasized, “The issues won’t be limited to Punawale alone; residents from Wakad, Hinjawadi, Tathawade, Ravet, and other areas will also face problems. The administration should reconsider and cancel the proposal.”
In a symbolic gesture, protesters engaged in a chipko movement by hugging trees at the proposed SWM garbage depot site, opposing the administration’s decision to cut down the trees for the project. The protest serves as a clear message of opposition to the proposed garbage depot.
