Silent Protest Gains Momentum: Punawale Residents Oppose Proposed Garbage Dump By PCMC
Punawale, 19th November 2023: On Saturday, the 18th of November, hundreds of Punawale residents, along with members of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cooperative Societies Federation (PCCSF), staged a silent protest against the proposed garbage dump in the area.
The demonstration took place at 18 Latitude Mall, where citizens gathered with banners and hoardings to express their disapproval of the project. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to initiate work on the proposed garbage dump in December, causing unrest among residents.
Local demands include a reversal of the decision and a plea for the civic body to explore alternative solutions. Sachin Londe, vice president of PCCSF, mentioned that the silent protest served as a warning to potential property buyers in Punawale.
“People stood silently in groups of 70 to 80 at prominent signals, junctions, and highways, holding posters and banners. This protest is also a warning to citizens interested in purchasing property in the Punawale area,” he stated.
On November 9, PCCSF and Punawale residents sent a legal notice to PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, citing concerns about air quality, groundwater pollution, and violation of residents’ fundamental rights.
Navnath Dhavale, another resident, mentioned meeting local MLA Ashwini Jagtap, who has agreed to address the issue and support Punawale residents’ plea.
Despite PCMC’s firm stance, MLA Jagtap has promised to challenge the decision during the upcoming Assembly sessions. Dhavale added, “We have also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the proposed garbage unit.”
