Pune Municipal Corporation has fined 69 individuals ₹5,000 each for open garbage burning, totaling ₹3.45 lakh since June 2024.
The action comes after the National Green Tribunal criticised PMC for weak enforcement during a July 2 hearing.
Despite PMC’s efforts, citizen groups claim staff involvement in illegal burning; NGT urges stronger follow-up and legal steps.
Pune, 28 July 2025: Facing pressure from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken strict action against open garbage burning, penalising 69 individuals and collecting ₹3.45 lakh in fines since June 2024.
The action was detailed in an affidavit submitted by PMC to the NGT’s western zonal bench. The tribunal had earlier pulled up PMC during a hearing on July 2 for failing to prevent illegal garbage burning and asked the civic body to intensify its measures and submit a progress report.
According to Sandip Kadam, Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste Management, PMC is now regularly monitoring violations through its Quick Response Team and tracing squad. Offenders are being fined ₹5,000 per case. These teams are actively identifying violators and issuing penalties to curb the problem.
To strengthen enforcement, PMC is also holding regular review meetings at ward and zonal levels. The Information Department has launched awareness campaigns to educate citizens against garbage burning, which poses serious environmental and health risks.
The crackdown follows a directive issued by the NGT on May 29, 2024, asking PMC to carry out monthly reviews of its anti-burning actions and publish results publicly. However, in June 2025, a citizens’ group named Citizens for Area Sabha filed an execution petition, alleging that PMC had failed to act effectively and even claimed that civic staff might be involved in the burning incidents.
While the NGT acknowledged PMC’s recent actions, it pointed out that open garbage burning is still being reported in some areas. In its latest order dated July 25, the tribunal advised the petitioner to file a separate legal case if the violations continue. It also asked the citizen group to raise these issues in PMC’s monthly review meetings and urged the municipal body to implement stronger, long-term solutions.
