The solid waste collection and segregation shed on the service road opposite Balewadi Stadium has been shut following years of complaints from residents of Baner, Balewadi and Mahalunge, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
The facility had drawn complaints over foul odour, overflowing garbage, improper segregation, flies, pests and stray animals in the surrounding area. Residents had also raised concerns about the accumulation of mixed waste and the movement of collection vehicles around the site.
The closure followed several months of follow-ups by local leader and Balewadi resident Moreshwar Balwadkar with the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Solid Waste Management Department, ward-level officials and the civic administration. The process included site inspections and coordination with the concerned authorities, the press release said.
Balwadkar said the development demonstrated the importance of sustained public engagement and administrative coordination in resolving local civic problems. “A public representative’s true responsibility is to understand people’s problems, pursue them persistently, and ensure their resolution through concrete action. The closure of this garbage depot is a victory for every resident who raised their voice and every official who worked sincerely towards a solution,” he said.
The press release said the initiative was supported by Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. Their involvement helped facilitate coordination with the administration, it said.
The closure is expected to reduce the nuisance associated with waste accumulation and improve sanitation and environmental conditions in the neighbourhoods around the service road. It is also expected to address concerns related to insects, stray animals and odour near the former collection point.
However, the press release did not provide details of alternative arrangements for waste collection and segregation after the depot’s closure. The long-term effect on residents will therefore depend on how the Pune Municipal Corporation reorganises collection and processing operations in the area.
The issue has also drawn attention to the working conditions of sanitation staff, who continued to handle waste collection and segregation despite operational challenges at the facility. The press release called for more scientific and efficient waste management systems that address public health concerns while improving conditions for sanitation workers.
The closure marks the latest development in a long-running civic grievance affecting residents around Balewadi Stadium and the adjoining neighbourhoods. Further details on the replacement collection and segregation arrangements were not provided.
