PCMC Starts J Ward Office, But Basic Services Still Suffer : Rahul Kalate
Corporator Rahul Kalate demands more staff, vehicles and better garbage collection
Pimpri-Chinchwad : The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) decision to open new regional offices to improve civic services appears to have run into a resource crunch, with inadequate manpower, garbage collection vehicles and equipment affecting sanitation in several rapidly developing areas.
BJP corporator Rahul Tanaji Kalate has raised the issue in a memorandum submitted to municipal commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi seeking urgent measures to streamline waste collection and strengthen civic infrastructure in the Raigad (J) regional office jurisdiction.
Kalate, said garbage collection had not fully stabilised nearly three months after the incident at the Moshi waste depot. He claimed collection vehicles were forced to wait for four to five hours to unload waste, while a shortage of vehicles and delays by contractors had reduced the number of collection trips.
The Raigad (J) office covers Wards 16, 25 and 26, including Wakad, Tathawade, Punawale, Pimple Nilakh, Ravet, Kiwale and Mamurdi. With the population exceeding three lakh, the area’s growing waste management needs are putting pressure on the existing system, he said.
Irregular collection has triggered complaints from housing societies with garbage piling up and foul smells affecting residents. Kalate questioned the rationale behind creating new regional offices without providing them with the infrastructure and workforce needed to function effectively.
He has sought additional garbage collection vehicles, more frequent collection rounds, adequate sanitation staff, machinery and regular monitoring of contractors. He has also called for effective mechanical sweeping, sufficient jetting machines for drain cleaning and strict action against contractors found neglecting their responsibilities.
Sewage treatment capacity under scrutiny
Kalate also flagged a shortage of sewage treatment plant (STP) capacity in the fast-growing areas. He alleged that inadequately treated sewage was entering drains and natural watercourses, potentially threatening local water sources, the environment and public health. He urged PCMC to build STPs with adequate capacity, upgrade existing facilities and ensure that sewage is not discharged without proper treatment. The civic administration now faces demands to strengthen basic infrastructure in the expanding suburbs and ensure that the creation of new administrative offices translates into improved services on the ground.
