Pune, 18 February 2026: Garbage has been piling up at several waste segregation centres in Baner, Balewadi and Pashan for the past few weeks, triggering health and sanitation concerns among residents.
The centres, designated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for separating household waste, have reportedly not been cleared on a daily basis as required.
According to residents, some locations have not seen garbage collection for over 15 days, while others have remained unattended for nearly a month. As a result, heaps of segregated waste have accumulated, spreading foul odour across nearby residential areas.
Segregation centres at Pashan–Sus Road, Sai Chowk in Balewadi, near MITCON, Baner crematorium, Region Plaza area, Baner Link Road and Highway Kuti Centre are among the affected spots.
Citizens living in housing societies near these centres say the situation has made it difficult to stay indoors due to the stench and the growing number of flies and mosquitoes.
“We are completely troubled because of this garbage problem. There are small children and elderly people at home, and their health is repeatedly at risk. We have raised the issue in the mohalla committee several times, but no solution has been provided. Now we don’t know whom to approach for justice,” said Shubhangi Ingawale, a resident of Balewadi.
Ameya Jagtap, a member of the Baner–Balewadi Citizens Forum Committee, warned that residents may take to protest if the condition does not improve. “The garbage problem in this area is becoming more serious by the day. No one seems willing to pay attention. If there is no immediate improvement, we will launch an agitation,” he said.
Responding to the complaints, an official from the Solid Waste Management Department of PMC stated that proper segregation of wet and dry waste at the source is essential.
“If wet and dry waste is not separated properly, it damages the processing machines. When that happens, the garbage collection vehicles cannot be cleared on time, which disrupts the entire collection cycle. We have requested two additional compactors and vehicles from the motor vehicle department for Baner and Balewadi. Once the vehicles are provided, better planning and management will be possible,” the official said.
Residents, however, insist that immediate action is needed to prevent further deterioration of sanitation conditions in the rapidly growing suburbs.