PUNE: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approached the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to conduct regular drives for clearing garbage dumped along the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass, and to stop trash throwing.
Regular travelers on this stretch are already irked over unattended garbage along the route. Road users say the garbage not only stinks, but also leads hungry strays to congregate, creating a threat to their and human lives.
The NHAI has provided a list of chronic spots prone to garbage dumping, including Narhe, Sus, Balewadi and Warje to PMC. A highways official told TOI, “We have been in communication with PMC on this issue. NHAI can maintain the road, but the civic administration should look after garbage being dumped on the roadsides. PMC has responded positively and assured redressal measures.”
City resident Jui Mankar, who works in the Hinjewadi IT Park area, said garbage dumping is rampant in stretches of Narhe-Ambegaon, Warje and Baner-Sus. “The administration conducts drives, but there is no consistency. Piling up of garbage is common. The authorities must identify chronic stretches and display huge boards to create awareness among irresponsible people.”
Suresh Babar, a regular traveller here, echoed, “The instances of trash dumping go up during night hours. Food vendors throw collected waste in bags along these roads. Dumping of construction waste is another challenge the administration has to deal with.”
Haridas Charvad, a former elected representative from the Sinhagad Road area, told TOI, “The garbage dumping issue is not confined only to the bypass. All locations where PMC’s jurisdiction begins are facing problems pertaining to dumped or unattended waste.” PMC officials said they will be clearing the garbage and squads will be deployed during night and early morning hours to restrict dumping.
“We have asked the ward offices to undertake continuous drives along the bypass. Some drives have been conducted in Narhe and nearby bypass areas. We will conduct reviews in the next few days. The squads will increase vigil in late and early hours,” a civic official said.
