Pune: Toxic Smoke Pushes AQI to 340 in Loni Kalbhor; MIT ADT Students Stage Protest Against Riverbed Dumping
Pune: Toxic Smoke Pushes AQI to 340 in Loni Kalbhor; MIT ADT Students Stage Protest Against Riverbed Dumping
Pune, March 5, 2026: Thousands of students and staff members of MIT Art, Design and Technology University staged a protest on Wednesday at the university’s main entrance in Loni Kalbhor, demanding an immediate halt to the illegal dumping of untreated waste into the Mula–Mutha River riverbed.
The protest saw participation from students and residential staff of MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, MIT Junior College, and MIT ADT University. Demonstrators raised concerns about growing environmental hazards, pollution, and the alleged inaction of local gram panchayats and district authorities in addressing the issue. Protesters also submitted a formal memorandum to the university administration and local police authorities demanding urgent intervention.
Students alleged that around 35 to 40 tractor loads of untreated waste from Loni Kalbhor, Kadamwakvasti, and nearby villages are being dumped daily into the riverbed without any processing, creating massive garbage piles and posing serious environmental risks.
The protest follows a major incident on February 26 when large heaps of garbage dumped along the riverbed caught fire. The blaze continued to smoulder for nearly four days, releasing thick toxic smoke across the surrounding area. On February 27, six to seven students from the university campus reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and suffocation due to the smoke and had to be admitted to a nearby hospital. Many others complained of respiratory discomfort, throat irritation, and burning eyes.
The fire was finally brought under control on March 2 after nearly five days of firefighting efforts by a single fire engine from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) along with assistance from 25 to 30 staff members of the university. However, toxic fumes reportedly continued to linger in the area for several days, affecting hostel residents and nearby citizens.
Currently, the MIT educational campus hosts nearly 20,000 students from across India and abroad, with around 5,000 students and about 1,000 staff members residing on campus. Students warned that continued dumping of waste into the riverbed threatens both public health and the ecological balance of the river.
Student representative Dadasaheb Bhosure said that years of illegal dumping have led to severe air and water pollution, threatening aquatic life and damaging the environmental image of Pune and Maharashtra.
Another student, Mugdha Sonawane, said the growing mountains of garbage and recurring fires are causing toxic smoke that has triggered respiratory problems among students. She urged the district administration to immediately stop the dumping and allocate land for proper solid waste management facilities for local gram panchayats.
Student Anay Ahire added that the river ecosystem around the campus is environmentally sensitive and has been severely affected by untreated waste. He pointed out that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board recently recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 340 in the area, indicating hazardous pollution levels.
Responding to the protest, university registrar Dr Mahesh Chopde said students have expressed strong concern over the recurring fires, toxic smoke, and health risks caused by illegal dumping. He said the university community has decided to stop garbage vehicles attempting to access the riverbed through the campus entrance.
Dr Chopde urged the district administration to take immediate action and provide alternative land to local gram panchayats for scientific solid waste management to permanently address the issue.
