Garbage-burning issue: State pollution board issues notices to Hinjewadi, Maan gram panchayats

The Maharashtra pollution control board (MPCB) has served show cause notices to Maan and Hinjewadi gram panchayats seeking a response on the complaints related to garbage burning in an open plot.

The notices were sent to the two gram panchayats following the complaint by Hinjewadi IT park residents welfare association, the MPCB officials said on Monday.

According HD Gandhe, sub regional officer of Maharashtra pollution control board, the notices were sent asking them why action should not be taken against the gram panchayats for allowing open burning of garbage. Hindustan Times has a copy of the notice.

The notice mentions that according to the new rules set by the Maharashtra government, the local bodies will be responsible for setting up, operationalisation and co-ordination of the waste management system, and for performing associated functions. 

“We have been constantly writing to the state pollution control board regarding rampant garbage burning which has now become a health menace for the residents,” said Dinesh Mandhare, a resident of Ashok meadows on Maan road. “I have witnessed trucks dumping debris and garbage in an open quarry, off the upcoming new bridge and road between Hinjewadi and Mhalunge. Last week, a tanker was brought in to douse the fire which began spreading in the open briskly,” he added. 

There were several eyewitnesses who saw trucks dumping garbage in the open space close to the Mula riverbed. 

Abhijeet R, resident of blue ridge society, Hinjewadi, said, “Recently, garbage dumped on the riverbed was set on fire and it was burning for three consecutive days. The black smoke and stench of burning plastic was making it difficult for residents to breathe. We emailed the Maharashtra pollution control board and sought help from the police station and firefighters, but they refused to help us saying it was not under their jurisdiction.”

Speaking to Tulsiram Raykar, gram vikas officer for Hinjewadi, “I was informed by residents about a big fire and we doused it by taking a tanker to the river bed. There have been several such incidences reported in the past, but I do not have enough manpower to deal with it. Someone must have dumped all plastic garbage near the riverbed and set it on fire.” He also added that they cannot keep a check continuously as there are several open spaces in Hinjewadi.