Locals in Mohammadwadi‑Undri Resist New Garbage Processing Plant Plan Near Homes and Schools

Residents of Mohammadwadi and Undri strongly oppose Pune’s plan for a garbage‑processing plant close to residential societies and schools, citing health and environment risks.

Pune | December 10, 2025: In a strong civic response, dozens of housing societies from Mohammadwadi and Undri have formally objected to a proposed garbage processing plant in their area. Their objection highlights serious concerns about public health, environmental hazards, and the plant’s proximity to homes and educational institutions. Over 50 societies — representing more than a thousand households and over 4,500 residents — have come together under a residents’ welfare foundation to urge the civic administration to reconsider the plan.

The proposed site lies at “Location 4/21 in Undri,” as per the draft development plan, barely a kilometre away from major residential clusters including Nyati Windchimes, NECO Beaumont, Nyati Defence Enclave, Nyati Chesterfield, Ganga Fernhill, Nyati Ebony, Nyati Erica, and Nyati Serenity. Many families with children, working professionals, senior citizens, and young parents live in these areas. The closeness of the site to existing residential zones has fueled fears about air and water pollution, foul odour, and potential health hazards.

Residents point out that three large schools — housing nearly 6,000 students combined — are located within one kilometre of the proposed plant. A senior‑citizen care home is also nearby. They argue that garbage processing facilities are ill‑suited for settlement zones because of toxic emissions, increased heavy‑vehicle traffic, and elevated risk of illness — especially for children and the elderly. According to their submission, gases produced by such plants — including methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide — are associated with respiratory issues, skin problems, eye irritation, persistent headaches, and long‑term dangers like cancer and congenital defects. They also warn of possible groundwater contamination, fire hazards due to methane buildup, and enhanced rodent or insect infestations around waste-processing zones.

Beyond the immediate health risks, residents say the area already suffers from a chronic lack of civic infrastructure despite years of paying taxes. For decades, Mohammadwadi and Undri have struggled with basic problems: insufficient water supply, poor roads, deficient drainage, inadequate street‑lighting, neglected footpaths, and general civic neglect. Many housing societies rely on tanker water and navigate pothole-ridden roads. Civic development has been slow, despite steady revenue generation from property taxes. In such a context, they feel placing a waste‑processing plant is insensitive and unfair.

Instead of a plant, locals have proposed an alternative: converting the land into green, community‑oriented spaces — a park, urban forest zone, butterfly garden or sports area. They believe such a transformation would benefit the community by improving air quality, increasing green cover, boosting biodiversity, and creating recreational opportunities instead of introducing health risks.

The opposition adds to growing city‑wide concern about waste management practices. Recently, there have been multiple complaints about delayed garbage collection, irregular disposals, and malfunctioning processing units. Some waste‑depot shut downs have forced the civic body to shift existing waste to distant locations — increasing pressure on other plants, transportation delays, and risk of public‐health hazards. Experts and citizens have been advocating for decentralised waste handling rather than large centralized units in residential or semi‑urban zones. Many insist localised collection, segregation and small‑scale processing — or composting — could reduce risks and avoid burdening neighbourhoods.

The residents’ objection to the plant in Undri‑Mohammadwadi has been formally submitted to the civic town‑planning department and to senior municipal officials. With rising public pressure and organised community resistance, this development plan could be revisited. The coming days may decide whether the proposed garbage‑processing facility goes ahead, or whether the land is repurposed for green communal use.

The controversy reflects a deeper tension: as Pune expands, civic authorities are under pressure to manage mounting waste. But without careful planning, such efforts can clash with residents’ rights to clean air, safety and quality of life. For many in Mohammadwadi and Undri, garbage isn’t just a civic challenge — it’s a potential threat to well‑being.

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