The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) standing committee on Thursday approved a proposal to enclose and upgrade the waste transfer and processing unit located in the Hadapsar industrial area. This decision comes in response to persistent complaints from local residents regarding the open handling of garbage, which has resulted in a pervasive foul odor and waste scattering throughout the locality.
Details of the Waste Unit Upgrade
According to the PMC, the facility processes approximately 200 metric tonnes (MT) of garbage daily, collected from five different city divisions. Standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale stated that the unit will now be enclosed with a proper shed, and civil works will be undertaken to improve the ramp. "The work order has been issued, and repairs are expected to begin shortly," Bhimale said.
Deccan Gymkhana Subway Repairs and Beautification
In other decisions, the committee sanctioned Rs3.4 crore for the repair of the Deccan Gymkhana subway. The project includes beautification of the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Smarak (memorial) located within the subway. Plans involve the construction of a Meghdambari (ornamental canopy) and the addition of historical references to the subway's interior, aiming to enhance the aesthetic and cultural value of the area.
Survey of Sewage Treatment Plants
The committee also addressed the status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in large housing societies. Amid observations that many units are poorly maintained, Bhimale directed the administration to conduct a detailed survey of STPs in societies with more than 100 flats. "The administration will verify if these plants are functional and operating at full capacity," he added.
Strengthened CCTV Network for Women's Safety
In light of recent crimes against women and girls, corporators have called for a strengthened CCTV network. They have demanded a special provision of funds or a transfer from other budget heads to install more cameras across various neighborhoods to improve public safety.
Revised Building Permission Norms
To curb uncontrolled growth and administrative irregularities, municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram on Thursday announced a major shift in building permission protocols. Under the new guidelines, approval authority is now tiered based on plot size. Plots below 2,000 square meters can be approved by deputy engineers. Plots between 2,000 and 10,000 square meters require approval from executive engineers. Plots above 10,000 square meters, as well as those requiring environmental clearance, must be cleared by superintending engineers. Ram stated that these changes aim to improve overall functioning, speed up the sanctioning process, and maintain a close watch on illegal constructions and haphazard developments.
Water Supply to Mohammadwadi and NIBM Area
The civic administration on Thursday said that a work of laying a 23-kilometer water transmission line has been completed in the southern part of the city. Eight overhead tanks in areas of Mohammadwadi and NIBM road area under the equitable water supply project have been commissioned. Additionally, a 1.5-kilometer distribution pipeline from the overhead tank in the Dorabjee Paradise area was also commissioned on Thursday. The administration had set a target of May 15 to finish the works and start water distribution.
