Pune: Open garbage dumping across Chakan MIDC has become a chronic issue, with industrialists blaming the lack of a dedicated waste-management facility for turning multiple stretches of the industrial belt into dumping grounds, creating health risks and damaging the reputation of one of Maharashtra’s key industrial hubs.Siddhesh Meher, who runs a fabrication and packaging unit in Phase III, said the area outside his factory resembled a dumping ground throughout the year. “At least 12 of my employees have been diagnosed with dengue over the last two to three months. Authorities need to recognise the seriousness of the issue and find a lasting solution,” he said.According to him, the situation has remained largely unchanged since he established the unit in 2019. “Whenever an important official or foreign delegation is expected, the garbage is simply pushed aside,” Meher said.Industrialists said the waste was frequently dumped along roadsides at night by residents and industrial unit workers. Some even resort to open burning of waste. Akash Waghole, a 31-year-old entrepreneur operating a metal fabrication unit, said, “I feel embarrassed taking clients to my unit. I often keep the windows covered so they do not see the garbage outside. It is shameful that we have to work in such conditions,” he said.Waghole said he had approached multiple authorities and submitted several representations over the past year, but without tangible results. Frustrated by the inaction, he once spent Rs 50,000 from his own pocket to get garbage removed from the vicinity. “We cannot be expected to repeatedly bear the cost of clearing public garbage,” he said.He said deteriorating civic conditions were discouraging entrepreneurs from investing locally. “Most of my friends in business have moved abroad and set up ventures there. Sometimes I too feel like leaving because of issues such as these,” Waghole said.Recalling a recent industry event attended by representatives of multinational firms, one industrialist said a foreign participant opened his remarks by questioning how firms could operate in such an unhygienic environment. Many industries have even hired private contractors to manage waste collection. “Everyone wants the waste removed from their premises. Nobody knows where the contractor takes it after that,” an industrialist said.The problem is not restricted to a single pocket of Chakan MIDC. Industrialists reported similar conditions across all five phases of the industrial area. Jaydev Akkalkote, president of the Chakan MIDC Industrial Association, said industries had repeatedly raised the issue with authorities but with little success. “Two years ago, we appointed a private contractor to collect waste from member units because there was no concrete action from the authorities. Around 150 firms associated with our association collectively pay nearly Rs 70,000 every month for the service,” he said.The issue was among the key concerns raised during Sunday’s meeting with industries minister Uday Samant, industrialists and other stakeholders. Following the discussion, Samant directed Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to establish a solid waste management facility for MIDC area. “Officials from MIDC have been asked to provide land to PMRDA for the facility. The land transfer process will be completed within a week, after which PMRDA will initiate steps to set up the facility,” Samant said.
