Residents from Chikhali and Moshi have expressed their deep concerns regarding the pollution caused by illegal scrap godowns and shops in the Kudalwadi area. The alarm was raised just three days after a major fire devastated around 40 such establishments. The members of the Chikhali Moshi Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation have sent a formal letter to the municipal commissioner urging immediate intervention to curb hazardous practices, such as the burning of plastic materials and melting of iron, which they claim happen frequently in several illegal shops.
The residents allege that these activities have not only been polluting the air but also harming the local environment. They are particularly concerned about the untreated water being released into a nearby nullah, which eventually flows into the Indrayani River, worsening water pollution. This is not the first time these concerns have been raised—earlier, in April, the federation had submitted a similar letter after a massive fire destroyed around 150 shops in the area, yet no substantial action has been taken.
The local community, including residents who claim there are between 6,000 to 8,000 such shops in Kudalwadi, feels that municipal authorities have failed to act despite multiple fire incidents in recent years. Local leaders, including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Amol Kolhe, have also joined the call for action, demanding an inquiry into the fire and appropriate compensation for affected businesses. Kolhe has urged that the inquiry be conducted without political bias, responding to BJP MLA Mahesh Landge’s comments regarding the presence of migrants in the area.
In response to the rising concerns, a senior official from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) confirmed that notices had been served to several businesses for violating fire safety norms. Some establishments have already been sealed, and more actions are expected to follow as the authorities continue their crackdown on non-compliant shops. However, residents remain unconvinced, stating that only continued and decisive action will prevent further accidents and environmental damage.
