Garbage burning leaves Cantt residents fuming

PUNE: Residents of several areas in Pune Cantonment are breathing in polluted air caused by burning of waste outside government hospitals and schools.
Burning of the waste is a violation of the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution Act, 1981. The act prevents citizens and municipal bodies from burning any waste material in the open. As per the norms, waste has to be dumped in the designated area in pits.People burning trash are liable to be booked for violation of the act.
R C Jagtap, officiating chief executive officer of the board, said, “We have already given orders for collecting and shifting of degradable waste for vermi composting. During winter, burning of waste may occur in small pockets. If it is happening anywhere in the Cantonment area, we will initiate steps to stop it.”
A resident of Padma Vilas Enclave in Wanowrie which falls under the Cantonment area, said, “Some people collect waste and burn it in the open. It causes heavy smoke to hang in the air and pollutes the area. Senior citizens, children and patients are affected by this smoke. On my way home from Camp area, I saw waste being burnt at eight sites on a single road.”
Another resident of the cantonment area said, “Some sweepers collect the garbage on the sides of the roads, near schools and in front of the government hospital. They light it and leave the spot immediately. The smoke from burning of waste pollutes the air and may adversely affect the health of children and patients of the nearby hospital.” Karan Makwani, vice president of the Pune Cantonment Board, said, “Polluting the air by burning any garbage should not be done anywhere in the cantonment limits. Action will be taken against violators.”