Pune PMC Bans Open Bonfires as Winter Pollution Rises  Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram Issues Warning

Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has banned open bonfires citywide. Anyone found burning wood, coal, or waste in public or residential areas will face penalties to curb air pollution.

Pune| November 19, 2025: In response to a sharp dip in temperatures and a simultaneous spike in air pollution, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has issued a citywide ban on open bonfires. The order warns that anyone including security guards, staff, or residents  found burning wood, coal, plastic, or other waste in the open will face strict penalties.

According to municipal officials, many people have resorted to lighting bonfires in housing societies, commercial premises, and neighbourhoods to stay warm at night. However, Commissioner Ram pointed out that the smoke from these makeshift fires emits PM 10, PM 2.5, carbon monoxide, and other harmful pollutants.

“With the winter chill setting in, bonfire smoke stays trapped close to ground level, posing serious health risks,” Ram said. He added that such smoke contributes significantly to respiratory illnesses like asthma.

The order references several legal frameworks to justify the ban, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and guidelines under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

PMC has urged housing societies and citizens to adopt safer alternatives for warmth during cold nights instead of burning polluting materials.

This move comes as part of the civic body’s broader efforts to improve air quality, especially during winter when pollution levels tend to surge. By cracking down on open burning, Commissioner Ram aims to protect public health while enforcing existing environmental regulations.

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