Pune: Residents Flag Illegal Garbage Dump On Punawale – Marunji Border, Air Quality Gets Affected Too
Pune: Residents Flag Illegal Garbage Dump On Punawale - Marunji Border, Air Quality Gets Affected Too
Pune, April 28, 2026: The Punawale Residents Forum has submitted a formal complaint to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, highlighting a serious public health and environmental concern arising from an illegal garbage dumping site located at the border of Punawale and Marunji.
According to the complaint, a large-scale unauthorized garbage depot has been created near the Punawale forest area (Survey No. 23) along the boundary of Marunji and Punawale. Residents allege that multiple garbage trucks arrive at the site daily, dumping all types of waste in the open. The volume of waste is steadily increasing, raising fears of the site turning into a massive garbage mound if immediate action is not taken.
The situation has been further aggravated by frequent burning of waste at the site, leading to the release of heavy smoke and toxic fumes. Due to prevailing wind patterns, the polluted air is spreading across nearby areas including Punawale, Tathawade, Wakad, and surrounding localities, posing a significant threat to public health.
With the monsoon season approaching, residents have expressed concern over the potential spread of infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, cholera, and typhoid. Additionally, there are fears that waste mixing with rainwater could contaminate groundwater, creating long-term environmental and health hazards.
The forum has stated that the ongoing dumping violates multiple regulations, including the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Swachh Bharat Mission, and environmental protection laws.
In its appeal, the forum has urged authorities to:
* Immediately remove the illegal garbage dump and conduct a thorough cleanup of the site
* Clear all accumulated and burnt waste, and replace contaminated soil if necessary
* Install preventive measures such as fencing, CCTV surveillance, warning signage, and regular patrolling to stop future dumping
* Take strict punitive action against truck owners, drivers, and individuals responsible for the illegal activity
Calling the issue urgent and directly linked to public health, the residents have requested authorities to inspect the site and initiate necessary action within seven days.
