Beware While Dumping Garbage, PMC Launches Special Surveillance Vehicle Squad

In a significant step towards making the city cleaner, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday launched a special surveillance vehicle squad to curb open garbage dumping in the city around the clock.

These vehicles, equipped with a public address system, will patrol across the city. A press release issued by the civic body stated that a total of 18 vehicles—15 for 15 ward offices and three for the main PMC solid waste management department—have been purchased to carry out various activities effectively.

Action against littering to intensify

The initiative aims to intensify actions against violations such as littering, spitting, burning garbage, and the use of banned plastic. The newly allocated vehicles were inaugurated on Tuesday by the Municipal Commissioner, Rajendra Bhosale, at a ceremony attended by prominent civic officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj BP, Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Sandip Kadam, and other senior health and engineering officers.

The deployment includes 15 vehicles distributed across regional offices, with one each assigned to the Central Plastic Squad, the Solid Waste Management Main Department, and the Sanitation Department. These vehicles will operate in two shifts to maximize efficiency at the zonal office level.

Since October 2, 2023, the PMC has addressed 72,778 violations, imposed fines amounting to ₹4,03,79,921, and confiscated 6,268 kilograms of banned plastic. The new fleet aims to enhance these efforts and maintain cleaner public spaces.

Municipal Commissioner Bhosale urged all zonal offices to enhance public awareness and intensify enforcement activities. The PMC’s proactive measures are a testament to its commitment to environmental sustainability and community welfare.

Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, implemented by the central government, help will also be provided under this initiative to increase the city’s rating under the Swachh Survey. “We are urging citizens to actively maintain the city’s hygiene and adhere to waste management regulations to make our city clean and tidy. It is mandatory to take action periodically at the ward office level to comply with various rules related to solid waste management. This mainly includes various actions like implementing a plastic ban, monitoring chronic garbage spots, spitting, open dumping, and burning waste,” he added.