Pune: PCMC Served Legal Notice Over Proposed Punawale Dumping Site; Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Federation Plans PIL
Pimpri Chinchwad, 09th November 2023: Concerns are growing in Punawale and its neighboring areas as the proposed dumping ground faces backlash. The Solid Waste Management Project, planned for the Kate Wasti Forest in Punawale, has prompted the Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Federation to issue a legal notice to the PCMC.
Proximity to Housing Cluster: Originally proposed in 2008, the project gained government approval in 2018. However, with the surge in housing societies and construction in the vicinity, housing over a lakh residents within 100 meters, the feasibility of a waste dumping site in this rapidly growing area is questioned.
Outdated Project: The proposed site, planned in 2008, has seen no implementation till 2023. Advocate Satya Muley, representing the Housing Federation, criticizes PCMC for pushing the project based on outdated analysis and approvals. He urges a fresh site selection process considering current ground realities and population growth.
Fear of Deterioration in Living Standards: Residents assert their fundamental right to a pollution-free environment. The SWMP is anticipated to impact air and water quality, attracting filth and hazardous elements. The legal standpoint emphasizes the residents’ right under Article 21 of the Constitution, emphasizing the “right to live” in a pollution-free environment.
Environmental Impact: The proposed SWMP’s location, adjacent to Abha Lake and on forest land, raises environmental concerns. Pollution of the water body, destruction of habitat for various species, and the impact on groundwater conservation initiatives conflict with environmental protection laws.
Local Residents’ Voices: Residents express concerns about health issues, ecological imbalances, and the potential impact on water bodies in the area. The proposed SWM plant’s impact on air quality and the reduction of the buffer zone from 500 to 100 meters raises questions.
Legal Action on the Horizon: Advocate Satya Muley warns of legal action if PCMC does not reconsider the project. The Federation plans to file a PIL if the authorities fail to follow due legal provisions and consider the residents’ wishes.
