Pune Air Action Hub has flagged the escalating issue of waste burning in the city, highlighting its contribution to worsening air pollution.
In a report submitted to Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. and Solid Waste Management Department Head Sandip Kadam, the Pune Air Action Hub urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate action and implement a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
The findings were also shared with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ensure coordinated efforts.
The report relies on insights from a ward-level citizen survey and an analysis of complaints lodged with PMC from October 2023 to January 2024.
It reveals that 75% of surveyed citizens observed chronic waste burning spots in their areas, with 33% reporting daily incidents and 42% encountering waste burning at least once or twice a week.
Despite this, only 20% of affected citizens reported the incidents, reflecting a lack of awareness about the complaint process.
The analysis of 59 complaints found inefficiencies in response times, with over 75% of cases marked as resolved taking more than two days for action.
Additionally, no fines were imposed on any of the complaints analyzed. Delays were often attributed to the repeated forwarding of complaints before reaching the appropriate authority.
Recommendations for Action
The report outlines several measures to tackle the issue effectively:
Establishment of a dedicated 24x7 complaint number for waste burning.
Deployment of rapid response squads for immediate action.
Mapping and regular monitoring of chronic burning spots.
Awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the complaint process and the legal consequences of waste burning.
Regular collection of special waste types like garden and electronic waste.
Training PMC staff on the hazards of waste burning to prevent in-house violations.
Citizen and Expert Insights
Hub member Pushkar Kulkarni emphasized the urgency, stating, “A recent National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment mandates PMC to publish monthly waste burning reports and actions taken, yet this has not been implemented six months on. Nighttime vigilance at chronic spots is critical as most incidents occur during the evenings or late at night.”
Shweta Vernekar, another member of the hub, pointed out areas like Hadapsar Mundhwa, Aundh Baner, and Wanawadi Ramtekdi as hotspots. “It is essential to raise awareness among citizens that waste burning is a punishable offense and encourage them to report such incidents,” she added.
As winter approaches, waste burning incidents are expected to increase, worsening air quality. The Pune Air Action Hub has called for immediate steps to address the issue and protect public health.
