Pune, 20 October 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing to invite five different tenders, each for 5.6 lakh tonnes, to carry out bio-mining and disposal of 28 lakh tonnes of legacy waste piled up at the Fursungi–Uruli Devachi garbage depot.
Officials have warned that if a single contractor or cartel dominates the process and the per-tonne rate crosses ₹900, the civic body could end up spending over ₹250 crore. However, with multiple qualified contractors and strict oversight, PMC could save at least ₹100 crore.
For years, large quantities of untreated garbage have accumulated at the Fursungi–Uruli Devachi site, causing severe air and water pollution in nearby areas. Though the PMC attempted to cap the waste to control pollution, the problem persisted, prompting villagers to file a case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Acting on the tribunal’s directive, PMC was ordered to complete bio-mining of nearly 59 lakh tonnes of waste and clear the site by October 2026.
So far, the civic body has completed bio-mining of about 31 lakh tonnes through three phases of contracts awarded in 2016, 2021, and 2023. The work has already cost around ₹244 crore, ₹147 crore for the first two tenders and ₹97 crore for the third. Around 28 lakh tonnes still remain untreated.
The new tender plan divides this remaining waste into five parts of 5.6 lakh tonnes each. PMC officials have proposed awarding only one tender per contractor to prevent monopolization. However, some contractors are reportedly pushing for two contracts each or trying to form a ring to influence rates and secure higher profits.
The tenders will be floated as per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) guidelines. Officials have clarified that if some tenders receive no bids, one contractor could be allowed to handle two packages. The civic administration is hopeful that competition among bidders will help reduce overall costs.
Under the 15th Finance Commission, the central government has sanctioned ₹154 crore to PMC for bio-mining work, with MoHUA fixing the rate at ₹550 per tonne.
Speaking about the project, Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B. P. said the Supreme Court has set an October 2026 deadline for PMC to complete the bio-mining process. He added that efforts are being made to ensure that each tender goes to a different contractor to maintain transparency and speed up the work.
