As winter settles in, Pune is grappling with an escalating problem of open waste burning, particularly in its densely populated areas. A new report submitted by the Pune Air Action Hub to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sheds light on the growing menace, emphasising the significant environmental and public health risks it poses. The survey, which involved 292 citizens across 15 wards, reveals alarming statistics: 75% of respondents reported chronic waste burning spots in their areas, with over a third witnessing daily occurrences. Despite the widespread nature of the issue, public awareness regarding the mechanisms to report waste burning remains minimal, and there are significant delays in addressing complaints.
The report reveals a critical gap in the system, citing that over 75% of complaints related to waste burning remain unresolved for more than two days. Furthermore, none of the 59 complaints analysed resulted in fines. The inefficiency of the complaint redressal system is exacerbated by the fact that complaints are often forwarded multiple times before reaching the correct authority, resulting in lost time and delayed responses. There is also a lack of transparency around the mobile squads that are supposed to respond promptly to these complaints. Despite a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) requiring PMC to post monthly updates on waste burning cases, there has been little progress in implementing this mandate.
From a civic perspective, this delay in action highlights the larger issue of poor urban management and public apathy towards environmental responsibility. While certain wards like Hadapsar, Mundhwa, and Aundh report higher incidences of waste burning, only 20% of residents who observed the burning have ever lodged complaints. This points to a broader lack of engagement and awareness among citizens about their role in addressing environmental crimes. The report calls for the establishment of a dedicated 24×7 complaint helpline and response squads to act swiftly on complaints.
The sustainability angle of this issue cannot be overstated. Open burning contributes directly to air pollution, a significant health risk for residents, especially children and the elderly. As Pune continues to urbanise, the city must adopt more stringent measures to control waste disposal and burning. By introducing real-time reporting systems, raising public awareness about the environmental impact of burning, and enforcing stricter penalties, PMC can mitigate the effects of this pollution and work towards a greener, healthier future. Immediate action is crucial to combat the harmful repercussions of this unchecked practice.
