Waste burning cases need urgent action: Pune Air Action hub submits report to PMC

Pune, 29th November 2024: The Pune Air Action Hub released a report on the incidence of waste burning in the city and a review of the grievance redressal mechanism of PMC for the same. The report includes a citizen survey indicating that waste burning is rampant in most areas of the city, along with observance of chronic spots. Even so, citizens seem unaware of the complaint mechanisms, pointing to the need for awareness about the same. That being said, an independent analysis of complaints lodged showed delay in response to waste burning complaints and other gaps in the process.

Hub members submitted the report to the Additional Commissioner Prithviraj M and SWM Head Sandip Kadam ahead of winter to highlight the increasing menace of open waste burning contributing to air pollution. The report findings and recommendations have also been shared with MPCB.

The report relies on two main sources of information – a ward level citizen survey to capture the incidence of waste burning covering (292 citizens surveyed across 15 wards from Oct 2023 to January 2024) and an analysis of complaints lodged by citizens regarding waste burning.

In the citizen survey 75% said that they have observed chronic burning spots in their area, and 33% said they experience waste burning everyday. Another 42% said they observe waste burning 1-2 times a week. In the citizen survey, 55 citizens out of 292 said that they had lodged complaints for waste burning in their ward.

In the complaints analysis, more than 75% of complaints marked resolved, were done so after more than 2 days from the complaint being lodged. Surprisingly, no fine was imposed on any of the 59 complaints analysed. On checking the status of complaints from the token numbers, it was observed that often the complaints were forwarded multiple times before they reached the correct authority, wherein time was lost.

Hub Member Pushkar Kulkarni said, “A recent NGT judgement mandated PMC to put monthly reports of waste burning cases and measures taken on their website. Even after 6 months, this has not been done. Information about mobile squads which are supposed to provide timely response to waste burning complaints, is also not readily available. It is often found that burning happens in the evenings and throughout the night at some chronic spots so there is a need for effective night time vigilance and response systems.”

Hub member Shweta Vernekar mentioned that during the citizen survey it was found that certain wards like Hadapsar Mundhwa, Aundh Baner and Wanowrie Ramtekdi showed more cases of burning. However an important inference from the citizen survey was that hardly 20% of citizens who observed waste burning have ever complained about it. “There is definitely a need to let citizens know what action they can take when burning happens, and that it is a punishable criminal offence to do so.”, she said.

A list of detailed recommendations has been made to improve the grievance redressal system. With the onset of winters, the problem of burning will only worsen and the urgency of the matter has been conveyed to the concerned officials.

Some key recommendations are as follows;
Dedicated 24×7 complaint number for waste burning
Dedicated response squads/ force for immediate action after complaints are lodged
Review of the line of action of complaints lodged, to find out where the gaps exist, to speed up response and enforcement/action on waste burning cases
Creating awareness about the complaint number and the process of lodging a complaint.
Mapping of chronic burning spots and regular surveillance of those spots.
Regular collection of waste, especially special kinds of waste like garden waste and electronic waste.
Sensitisation of PMC staff on the hazards of burning waste.