Pune: PMC Conducts Massive Clean-Up Drive At Katraj Ghat, Removes 50–55 Metric Tonnes Of Waste
Pune: PMC Conducts Massive Clean-Up Drive At Katraj Ghat, Removes 50–55 Metric Tonnes Of Waste
Pune, June 23, 2026: In a major environmental conservation initiative, a special clean-up drive was carried out at Katraj Ghat on June 20 and 21, resulting in the removal of an estimated 50 to 55 metric tonnes of waste from the forested area surrounding the ghat.
The campaign was organized under the Swachh Survekshan initiative by Swachh Survekshan Brand Ambassador Vikrant Singh in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Dhankawadi-Katraj-Ambegaon Regional Office. The drive was launched after authorities identified a large accumulation of plastic waste, biomedical waste, and other solid waste in the forest area located approximately three kilometres beyond the PMC limits.
On June 20, mechanical equipment was deployed to clear garbage accumulated along the roadside within the forest zone of Katraj Ghat. The clean-up operation continued on June 21 with the participation of around 350 students and volunteers, along with PMC officials and sanitation staff.
The campaign saw the active involvement of Assistant Commissioner Surekha Bhange, Senior Health Inspector Vikram Kathawate, Santosh Bhaik, sanitation inspectors, and nearly 220 sanitation workers. Teams removed debris, plastic bottles, roadside waste, and other solid waste from the area, collecting approximately 50 to 55 metric tonnes of garbage during the two-day operation.
Several dignitaries visited the site and supported the initiative, including Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Ward Committee Chairperson Pratibha Chorghe, Corporator Smita Kondhare, Corporator Vyenkoji Khopde, veteran actor Sayaji Shinde, social worker Deepak Nagpure, and Bapu Chorghe. They appealed to citizens not to litter in the area and urged greater public participation in maintaining cleanliness. Forest Department officials were also advised to take preventive measures to avoid future dumping of waste.
The campaign was further supported by Swachhata Brand Ambassadors Avinash Minse and Rupali Magar, along with Dr. Rahul Sawant from the Doctors’ Association and officials and staff from the regional office.
Although the clean-up drive was conducted outside the Pune Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction, civic authorities stated that environmental protection and conservation of natural resources are a shared responsibility. The large-scale deep-clean operation has been hailed as a model initiative for preserving the forest ecosystem and maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and beauty of the green belt adjoining Pune city.
