PUNE, JUNE 12, 2025: Pune is witnessing a growing waste management crisis following the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) recent decision to hand over the Kothrud garbage ramp to the Pune Metro Line 3 project. The move has disrupted garbage collection services across several key western suburbs, triggering widespread inconvenience among residents.
The Kothrud ramp was a major transfer point for solid waste collected from localities such as Kothrud, Paud Road, Warje, Erandwane, and Karve Nagar. Its abrupt decommissioning has led to visible piles of uncollected waste in public spaces, with collection schedules thrown into disarray.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the deteriorating sanitary conditions. “Garbage has not been picked up for days. The streets are starting to smell, and we fear a health hazard if this continues,” said Madhavi Joshi, a resident of Paud Road. Many citizens have criticized the PMC for not establishing an alternative waste handling facility before shutting down the existing one.
In response, PMC officials have confirmed that the site was handed over to facilitate the construction of an elevated section of Metro Line 3. “The ramp had to be cleared as per the schedule agreed with MahaMetro. We are aware of the inconvenience caused and are working to identify a temporary waste transfer location, likely near Warje,” a senior civic officer stated.
Until a new facility is operational, garbage trucks are being diverted to farther transfer stations, increasing turnaround time and reducing collection efficiency in affected areas.
Waste management professionals have raised concerns over the lack of contingency planning. “Essential services like waste management should not be compromised during infrastructure projects. There must be coordination and foresight to avoid such civic disruptions,” said Rajiv Pandit, a solid waste consultant based in Pune.
This incident has reignited discussions on the importance of integrated urban planning, particularly when multiple development agencies are involved. Similar concerns were raised during earlier phases of the Metro work in areas like Swargate and Shivajinagar, where civic services were also disrupted.
The PMC has assured residents that efforts are underway to stabilize collection services and restore normalcy. However, public health experts caution that prolonged garbage accumulation could lead to vector-borne diseases and further civic distress if the issue remains unresolved.
As Pune continues to modernize its infrastructure, citizens and urban planners alike are calling for a more synchronized approach that safeguards essential services while enabling large-scale projects like the metro.
