For 15 long years, the people of Punawale have been fighting to prevent the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) from constructing a garbage depot in their neighborhood. Finally, their persistent efforts paid off when the state government intervened and halted the civic body’s plans, bringing relief to the residents.
The decision by the government was met with joy and gratitude by the residents who had staunchly opposed the project from the beginning. They saw it as a positive development that would preserve their environment and quality of life. However, civic officials expressed concerns about waste management in the city, especially since the existing depot at Moshi had reached its capacity.
Punawale, which became part of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation in 1998, had been grappling with the challenge of solid waste management as the city continued to grow. Initially, the PCMC had earmarked a 26-hectare plot for the garbage depot. But with Punawale’s rapid expansion, this plan became impractical, leading the government to reconsider and seek alternative locations.
Ashwini Jagtap, the MLA representing Chinchwad, played a pivotal role in opposing the garbage depot in Punawale. She highlighted how the area had evolved over the past 15 years with the establishment of residential complexes, schools, offices, and shops. Jagtap raised concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed depot, including the potential loss of hundreds of trees and the risk of water pollution due to Punawale’s hilly terrain.
Despite the PCMC’s attempts to push forward with the project, including offering alternative land to the forest department, residents remained steadfast in their opposition. They had been actively protesting since 2008, even resorting to legal action by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2010, which was withdrawn upon assurance from the PCMC that it was merely a proposal.
Following the government’s decision to cancel the project, PCMC commissioner Shekhar Singh pledged to comply with the directives and explore alternative sites for the garbage depot. However, finding a location as suitable and spacious as Punawale presents a significant challenge, and future waste management efforts may face obstacles.
With a population ranging from 85,000 to 100,000 residents and approximately 90 residential societies, Punawale can now heave a sigh of relief as the prolonged struggle against the garbage depot comes to a close. The victory underscores the power of community activism and the importance of preserving local environments for present and future generations.
