Pune: In a bid to maintain cleanliness in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken strict action against individuals spreading garbage in public places.

Over the past year, 52,405 violators have been fined, and the Solid Waste Management Department has collected a record ₹3.25 crore in penalties. This marks the highest enforcement and fine collection figures in the last three years.

Chronic Garbage Spots Remain a Concern

Despite these efforts, garbage dumping during nighttime continues unabated, leading to heaps of waste accumulating in various parts of the city.

Currently, 923 chronic garbage dumping spots have been identified. While initiatives to reduce these spots are underway, challenges such as limited manpower, lack of waste segregation by citizens, and inefficiencies in the collection system hinder progress.

18 Special Squads Deployed

To enforce cleanliness, PMC has deployed 18 dedicated teams equipped with independent vehicles. These squads operate daily, identifying and penalizing violators. The majority of cases involve individuals dumping garbage in public spaces or failing to provide segregated waste to municipal collection systems.

Persistent Issues Highlight Enforcement Gaps

While fines have been imposed on a large scale, the persistent sight of garbage piles in several areas raises doubts about the long-term impact of these actions. Residents continue to question whether PMC’s efforts are sufficient to address the deep-rooted issues in waste management effectively.