PCMC, residents in renewed tussle over waste processing units in large societies

Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued civic notices to housing societies directing them to install and operationalise wet waste-processing units by June 30 leading to renewed confrontation over waste management norms and residents objecting strongly.

The notices were sent to housing societies classified as bulk waste generators. Civic officials warned that action — including fines and legal proceedings — would be initiated against those who fail to process wet waste at source as mandated under environmental regulations.

Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, residential complexes generating over 100kg waste per day, consuming over 40,000 litre of water daily or spread across more than 20,000 sqm are required to install composting units and process wet waste within their premises.

Residents said the civic body was enforcing norms ignored while granting approval to housing projects. “Most builders did not provide waste-processing facilities when the projects were constructed. In many cases, there is no space reserved to install the set-up. The civic administration must clarify how such projects were approved and where should residents build the facilities now,” said Ramesh Thorat, a resident of Ravet.

The issue has surfaced over the years repeatedly, with PCMC issuing similar notices almost every year. It often leads to disagreements between resident groups and civic officials over who should bear the responsibility of compliance.

Sachin Londhe, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation, said the dispute has persisted for over a decade. “Every year, residents and municipal officials argue over the same issue. We have raised the matter in several meetings, but no solution has emerged. The municipal corporation expects societies to manage everything from sewage treatment plants to waste processing, but provides little support in return — while continuing to collect taxes,” he said.

The Chikhali Moshi Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation has also opposed the move, terming it unilateral and impractical. In a letter to PCMC commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi, the federation warned of agitation if the civic body stops collecting wet waste from large societies without prior consultation. “In such a case, we will have no option but to dump accumulated waste in the municipal commissioner’s office,” said federation president Sanjeevan Sangle.

The federation alleged that several large residential projects were granted completion certificates despite lacking mandatory waste-processing infrastructure. “It was the responsibility of the civic administration to ensure compliance with waste management norms before issuing building permissions and occupancy certificates. Despite repeated representations over the years, no action has been taken against developers,” the federation said.

Residents’ groups further said many housing projects faced practical constraints like lack of space, technical challenges and the absence of prior planning for waste-processing facilities, making immediate compliance difficult.

However, PCMC officials maintained that the notices were issued in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions and environmental regulations. Pradip Thengal, deputy municipal commissioner and head of PCMC’s health department, told TOI that large housing societies are legally required to process their waste and register on a dedicated portal monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board.

“The rule is not imposed by the municipal corporation. It is based on Supreme Court guidelines. We will stop collecting waste from non-compliant large societies from July 1. Further action, including penalties, will be initiated wherever necessary,” Thengal said.

Thengal said the matter of developers failing to provide waste-processing facilities was between the former and flat owners. “Our department cannot intervene. Our responsibility is to ensure compliance with the law,” he added.