The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has claimed in its manifesto of having implemented proper arrangements for lifting garbage of 650 metric tonnes. However, the city areas as well as newly-developed suburbs face irregular garbage clearance. The NCP that is the ruling party at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has put ‘garbage-free clean city’ on its agenda.
Overflowing garbage bins are clearly visible near the vegetable markets in Nigdi, Akurdi, Pimpri, Bhosari, Ravet and Wakad. The existing Moshi garbage depot received strong opposition from residents as it created health hazards. The Nagri Hakka Kriti Samiti of Moshi raised their voices against it several times.
Pimpri-Chinchwad is recognised as an industrial hub with nearly 8,000 industries at Bhosari, Chinchwad and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). The MIDC area also has residential localities. Industrial waste is a major issue faced by residents. Industrial waste is burnt openly on the roads by scrap dealers. Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association president, Suresh Mehtre told DNA, “We suggested to the civic authority to provide garbage bins for industries so that the waste will not be thrown on the open ground. But there no such provision was made by the civic administration.”
Kritika Shetty, a resident of Akurdi railway station area said, “A heap of garbage lies unattended near the Akurdi tunnel. It is on a major route connecting to DY Patil Engineering College. The garbage is not picked up regularly.”
Mitali Pardeshi, resident of Nigdi-Pradhikaran sector 27 said, “From Bhel Chowk to near City Pride school, unauthorised Chinese food stalls open in the evening. These stall owners throw waste food and plastic bags on the road. The spot is near a school yet the authorities have not taken action against them. It is a prime route and the local corporator overlooked the garbage issue in Nigdi.”
