Pune: A fire at the garbage transfer unit in Balewadi on Tuesday night has triggered panic among residents, who have raised serious concerns over safety and waste management practices at the facility. Sensing the situation, activists and politicians have urged the civic administration to strengthen monitoring at the site, install CCTV cameras and deploy round-the-clock security.The garbage transfer unit is located near the plot earmarked for PMPML along the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass. “After the fire broke out, we rushed to the spot and found nobody there. We eventually called up the fire department. The situation was challenging, and a major tragedy was narrowly averted. We cannot allow such incidents to recur,” Shivam Balwadkar, activist and coordinator of the BJP Yuva Morcha, said.Balwadkar said the fire exposed several lapses in safety and security at the facility. Given that the site handled daily waste collection from the Baner-Balewadi area, proper monitoring was essential, he said. “At present, the unit functions in an open space, without any shed. We have demanded that the administration construct a shed, install a gate around the facility and appoint security personnel,” Balwadkar said.The residents have also highlighted broader issues with garbage management in Balewadi. Resident Atul Gholap said incidents of unattended garbage being set on fire were still frequent. “This is largely due to the lack of an efficient system for clearing waste from open spaces. The civic administration must increase the number of garbage collection vans and ensure regular pickup from both open areas and housing societies,” Gholap said.
