Protest Erupts Against Alleged Open Dumping At Pune Municipal Garbage Depot In Fursungi–Uruli Devachi
Protest Erupts Against Alleged Open Dumping At Pune Municipal Garbage Depot In Fursungi–Uruli Devachi
Pune, May 24, 2026: Tensions flared at the Pune Municipal Corporation’s garbage depot in Fursungi–Uruli Devachi after local municipal councillors and residents launched a protest against the alleged open dumping of waste at the site. Protesters blocked garbage trucks entering the depot, alleging that massive heaps of untreated garbage are posing a serious threat to public health in the area.
The agitation began on Friday morning when councillors from the Fursungi Nagar Parishad, along with local villagers, staged a demonstration at the depot premises. Raising slogans such as “Stop Open Dumping” and “Stop Playing With Citizens’ Health,” protesters prevented garbage vehicles from entering the dumping ground, creating a tense atmosphere in the locality.
During the protest, Pune Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Suresh Warule visited the site and held discussions with the agitators. Protesters alleged that Pune Municipal Corporation was openly dumping garbage at the site without carrying out any scientific processing or waste treatment. According to them, the unchecked dumping has led to huge mountains of garbage and foul smell spreading across nearby residential areas, severely affecting the health of local citizens.
The protesters further claimed that despite receiving notices from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) directing authorities to stop open dumping, the practice was allegedly continuing at the site.
The agitation gained attention after garbage trucks were stopped, reportedly affecting waste transportation operations linked to Pune city. Following this, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Pune Municipal Commissioner Nawal Kishore Ram reportedly spoke to the protesters over the phone and assured them that corrective measures would be taken soon.
Following the assurance, the protest was temporarily suspended, according to Nagar Parishad Health Committee Chairman Adv. Amol Kapare and other local representatives including Sheetal Amit Harpale, Santosh Harpale, Sachin Harpale, Sneha Harpale, Bhavana Dhamale, and social activists Datta Raut and Tatya Bhadale.
Speaking on the issue, Health Committee Chairman Amol Kapare alleged that nearly 20,000 tonnes of garbage had been dumped openly at the Fursungi depot without any proper processing. He accused the Pune Municipal Corporation of misleading both citizens and pollution control authorities while ignoring the growing health hazards faced by residents living near the dumping site.
