Pune: In a powerful demonstration of community unrest, thousands of furious residents gathered under the scorching sun on Thursday to protest the continued operation of a hazardous waste processing plant in Benkar Mala, Dhayari. The demonstrators demanded the facility’s immediate and permanent closure, citing ongoing threats to public health and safety.
Leading the protest, social activist Dhananjay Benkar, along with a growing number of residents, vowed to sustain the agitation until the waste project is completely shut down. The movement has gained momentum with backing from various political groups, civic activists, and residents from nearby housing societies such as Yash Platinum, Sai Shreya, Shivprabha, and Venkatesh Sharvil.
According to protestors, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) illegally developed the facility on land originally earmarked for a public garden. They claim this move has jeopardized the health and safety of thousands of locals. Despite a recent fire that destroyed the plant last month—fortunately with no injuries due to the absence of workers—the PMC controversially approved restarting operations.
Residents have long suffered from the consequences of the plant’s presence, including persistent foul smells, mosquito breeding, and a rise in health issues. Many families have already vacated their homes, and more than half of the surrounding plots remain unoccupied. Local water sources such as borewells and wells have reportedly been contaminated, and natural streams in the vicinity have turned toxic. Despite continuous complaints over the past four to five years, authorities have failed to act, and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has remained unresponsive.
Activists pointed to regulations in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, which require a minimum distance of 500 metres between waste facilities and residential zones. They accused officials of violating these safety norms and endangering lives. Protesters reaffirmed their commitment to the cause, insisting the plant must be relocated to a non-residential area for the wellbeing of the community.
