PUNE:
Kharadi residents
are once again troubled by the incessant problem of
garbage burning
and are knocking on the doors of the authorities to check the menace.
According to the residents, garbage burning started about a month ago and has become a regular feature at multiple spots in the area.
The residents said that dry grass is also being burnt at farmlands in Kharadi and Wagholi, leading to emission of
thick smoke
and particles into the air.
Satish Joshi, a resident of Marvel Cerise and vice-chairman of Kharadi Residents Association, said, “I live on the 12th floor and can get a clear view of the spots where garbage and grass are being burnt. I have personally been monitoring the situation for about a month now and have raised the issue with the local ward office as well as the main office. Initially, garbage was burnt in daylight, but now it is mostly set ablaze at night. The air has become unbreathable, and there is smoke everywhere. Burning garbage is illegal and I wonder what is keeping the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) from putting an end to it.”
Nitin Memane, another local resident, said that they have identified four locations where the burning takes place. “We can see smoke rising from behind the dargah on Fountain Road, Tuljabhawani Nagar, Wagheshwar parking lot, which is on the border of Kharadi and Wagholi, as well as the labour camp on Fountain Road. We can smell the smoke throughout the day, and this poses a risk to our health and affects the environment. On one hand, townships are being developed in this area while on the other we are facing the problem of garbage burning. While the local ward office has been cooperative in initiating action against those involved in burning of garbage, we do not see any deterrence,” he said.
Local health inspector Sushma Munde said, “I have personally visited these sites and fined those responsible for burning garbage. I also visited a spot at Lohegaon, where burning was noticed, along with the local officials, and issued notices. We have informed them that police complaints will be filed if they don’t stop burning garbage. At one spot, we did not find the people responsible for garbage burning and we are on the lookout for them.”
According to Munde, those found burning garbage or farmlands are first issued verbal warnings. “If they don’t comply, we fine them. If fining does not work, notices are issued and finally cases are registered. I am trying to put a stop to this menace,” she said.
According to the residents of the area, the meagre fines levied on those burning garbage are not deterrent enough. “Some stringent action must be taken against these people to ensure deterrence. Many of these people prefer paying a fine of Rs 1,000 instead of spending time and energy on disposing garbage the correct way. We hope that some corrective steps are initiated quickly to stop this menace,” Memane said.