The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has finally cleared the massive garbage heap that had accumulated for nearly three weeks at the prominent Clover Centre complex on Moledina Road in Pune Camp. The civic body resumed collection services, ending a tense standoff with shopkeepers and residents over waste segregation norms and additional collection charges.
Three Weeks of Piling Waste and Public Outcry
The dispute, which lasted for almost 20 days, transformed the busy JJ Garden lane into an unsightly and unhygienic zone. The overflowing waste became a significant health hazard and an eyesore in one of Camp's most frequented areas. With hundreds of people, including shoppers and visitors, passing through the lane daily, the unbearable stench drew strong reactions, especially given the area's popularity for its eateries and textile showrooms.
PCB chief executive officer Vidyadhar Pawar confirmed to TOI that operations have now normalised. "We have collected Rs20,000 in charges from shopkeepers and have warned them to segregate their waste as per solid waste management rules," Pawar stated. "Secondly, in the public interest, we had to lift the accumulated garbage."
The Root of the Conflict: Rules, Charges, and Allegations
The board officials reiterated that segregating waste into wet, dry, and hazardous categories is a mandatory requirement under the 2016 central solid waste management rules. They argued that processing mixed waste causes operational difficulties and increases costs, justifying the strict enforcement of segregation and the associated charges.
However, stakeholders at Clover Centre felt the situation was mishandled. Society members claimed the PCB took an "extreme" step by abruptly halting collection without providing any alternatives, despite being aware of the significant daily waste generated by the commercial and residential complex.
Jyotsna Khandekar, the society's chairman, questioned the board's selective enforcement. "Why can't the PCB act against illegal vendors who operate in cantonment areas and throw trash on the streets? If they are concerned about cleanliness, they should apply the same rules to everyone," she said. "Right outside Clover Centre, vendors dump garbage on the roads daily without paying the PCB. How can the cantonment allow this?"
Broader Waste Management Challenges in Pune Cantonment
This dispute has highlighted persistent issues in the area's waste management system. Over the past year, several commercial entities have complained about the PCB's collection charges being ambiguous or unaffordable. The board, on the other hand, maintains that the fees are essential to cover rising transportation and processing costs.
Local activists observe that such confrontations are becoming more common as cantonment boards push for stricter compliance. Activist Rajabhau Chavan noted, "While rules are important, the board must realise its primary mandate is to provide civic services. No civic body should go against the people to the point where the situation becomes unmanageable."
With garbage collection now restored, residents and society members are hoping for improved communication and a sustainable solution. "We plan to hold another meeting with board officials to ensure a long-term solution," added a society member, reflecting a desire to prevent future crises.
