Bombay High Court’s ruling paves way for decentralized waste management in Pune

INDIA – The Bombay High Court’s dismissal of a petition seeking the closure and relocation of the Hadapsar garbage depot has come as a significant relief to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The decision supports the civic body’s ongoing efforts to decentralize waste management, a move urban planners and citizens believe is long overdue.

With this legal hurdle cleared, PMC is now expected to accelerate plans to establish waste processing units in key locations such as Sus Road, Dhayari, and Bavdhan.

These projects are part of a broader strategy to process waste closer to its point of generation, reducing the burden on large centralized sites like Uruli-Phursungi, which currently handles the majority of the city’s waste.

Bhagwan Bhadale, a local activist, welcomed the court’s decision but urged the PMC to shift its focus towards localised solutions.

“All the trash is being dumped in Uruli-Phursungi, which poses serious health hazards. The administration must process waste at its source,” he said.

Citizens living near existing waste facilities have voiced concerns about the operational inefficiencies and poor handling practices that lead to foul odours, fires, and health risks.

Mahesh Konde, a Katraj resident, said, “People oppose garbage units in residential areas because of past mismanagement. These units often don’t run at full capacity, leading to open dumping and odour issues.”

Dhananjay Benkar from Narhe highlighted fire incidents at the local waste unit as justification for demanding its relocation.

“We want the Narhe garbage unit moved far from residential areas. It’s a question of public safety,” he said.

Yogesh Sasane, former corporator from Hadapsar, added that the area continues to bear the brunt of Pune’s waste burden.

“Over half the city’s daily garbage comes to Hadapsar for treatment. Residents have been protesting for years. A decentralized approach is the only fair and sustainable solution.”

Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s Solid Waste Management Department, said the court’s verdict allows the civic body to move forward with its decentralised strategy.

“The order has come as a relief for us. We will study it in detail and plan our next steps,” he said.

Urban planning experts say the decentralization model could not only reduce health and environmental risks but also improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and public trust in Pune’s waste management system.

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