४११०१६ PIN एरियाच्या सर्वसमावेशक व शाश्वत विकासासाठी स्थानिक नागरिकांचा उपक्रम.

नोंदणी फी: रु. १० (सक्रिय सहभाग), किंवा रु. १०० रुपये (फक्त आर्थिक पाठिंबा ) , किंवा रु.११० रुपये (सक्रिय सहभाग + आर्थिक पाठिंबा ). प्रत्येकी तेढीच रक्कम आम्ही भरू! पैशांच्या हिशोबासाठी येथे क्लिक करा. संपर्क व गूगल-पे क्र. ९४२२५१९६५७ (राजेंद्र कुमार काळे).

माॅडल काॅलोनी येथे HND जैन बोर्डिंगची जमीन वाचविण्यासाठी प्रयत्न: विविदाचे संपूर्ण रेकॉर्ड वाचण्यास येथे क्लिक करावे

२६/९/२०२५: ही जागा जवळपास ३ एकर असून इथे १०० पेक्षा जास्त जुन्या वृक्षांचे रक्षण व समाजाच्या वारशाचे संवर्धन हे आपल्यासाठी महत्त्वाचे आहे. आता ही जागा लोभी बिल्डर, भ्रष्ट अधिकारी, आणि राजकारण्यांच्या बिनधास्त विकासाच्या घशात जाण्याच्या मार्गावर आहे; म्हणूनच सर्वांनी एकत्र येणे गरजेचे आहे. सी. ए. प्रमोद जैन यांनी महाराष्ट्र सार्वजनिक न्यास अधिनियम (MPTA) अंतर्गत चॅरिटी कमिशनरने दिलेला आदेश कायदेशीरदृष्ट्या कमकुवत असल्याचे विश्लेषण प्रसिद्ध केले आहे. त्यांच्या विश्लेषणाचे ठळक बिंदु येणे प्रमाणे:

सेक्शन 36 चाचणीचा अभाव: आदेशात न्यासाच्या "हित, लाभ किंवा संरक्षणासाठी" व्यवहार योग्य आहे का याचा स्वतंत्र विचार केलेला नाही. विश्वस्तांच्या मतावरच अवलंबून राहणे हा कायद्याचा भंग आहे.
लीजवरील बंदीचा भंग: MPTA कलम 36(1A) नुसार 30 वर्षांपेक्षा जास्त काळासाठी लीज देता येत नाही. परंतु आदेशात कायमस्वरूपी लीज मंजूर केली आहे, जी सरळ सरळ कायद्याच्या पलीकडे जाते.
पारदर्शक मूल्यांकन व टेंडर प्रक्रियेचा अभाव: स्पर्धात्मक बोली, शासकीय मूल्यांकन व कारणमीमांसा नोंदविणे हे आवश्यक असताना आदेशात याचा मागमूस नाही. हे सर्वोच्च न्यायालय व उच्च न्यायालयाच्या निर्णयांना छेद देणारे आहे.
मूळ उद्दिष्टापासून विचलन (Cy-près तत्वाचा अभाव): वसतिगृह व मंदिरासाठी देणगी दिलेल्या जमिनीचा वापर लक्झरी हाउजिंगसाठी करणे म्हणजे मूळ उद्दिष्ट बदलणे. "इमारत जुनी आहे" हे कारण अपुरे आहे.

स्थानिक जैन समुदायने पुढाकार घेऊन HND जैन बोर्डिंग मंदिरात शनिवार, २७ सप्टेंबर रोजी सकाळी १०.३० वा. सामूहिक पाठ व Save HND मोहिमेवर चर्चा आयोजित केली व झालेल्या व्यवहाराला निरस्त करणीसाठी चळवळ करण्याचे ठरविले. एक जैन व्यक्तीने ते आमरण उपवास करणार असे जाहीर केले.

Meeting with SWaCH executive

22/9/2025: We (Rajendra and Pankaj) met Harshad Barde, the executive director of SWaCH Cooperative over a cup of tea at Model Colony. It signifies the tripartite cooperation among citizens, PMC, and the SWaCH Cooperative as PMC's contractors for solid waste collection and handling. This cooperation depends on flow of data between the three parties. The meeting took place in the backdrop of a BBC News video report which we contested by writing to BBC India, and our own study published in Pune Bar & Bench.

Harshad, an eloquent young gentleman who is also a researcher, provided a detailed historical background and explained the difficulties they face in their day-to-day collection, payments, and accounting work. He showed tabulated data collated with the aim of getting a better understanding of members' income vis-à-vis the time they spend on the street, including enormous delay, even cancellation of the PMC trucks, well after members have completed their job. We suggested they ask PMC to monetarily compensate the delay beyond reasonable wait time.

Harshad also told us the difficulties in colleting data of transaction between members and households (including some floating population). However, he said that they were trying to improve the situation by developing a mobile app.

We said, there is no shortcut to success, and accurate data is absolutely necessary for the SWaCH model to work as an organized Cooperative for the members, not just the employees. Libraries maintained variable data in cards when computers or smartphones were not available. Even Nazis had a method in their madness--they maintained accurate data of their victims, those hand-written cards still preserved in history museums.

We suggested SWaCH select a tiny area in Wadarwadi slums, evolve a process to gather accurate data, then scale up the model. We further suggested that they sell 'collection coupons' to households in advance, which the households return to the waste-collector--members, who, in turn monetize them from the coordinators. This would automatically generate the precious data.

We parted with promise to meet again and take the discussion further. In the meantime, the footpaths and roads at the Homi Bhabha Chowk area at Model Colony, an area assigned to SWaCH, remain littered with mixed waste producing an ugly spectacle.

Conversation with SWaCH WhatsApp group, SWaCH or Alternative

[9/7, 11:43] Rajendra: SWaCH is hailed as a progressive model. But we must ask: how sustainable is it — economically, socially, legally, and ethically? [9/7, 17:39] Rajendra: Let's have a structured debate, starting with what exactly is PMC’s [S]olid [Wa]ste [C]ollection and [H]angling, or SWaCH model. This model has an operational part and socio-economic part.

Operational part is this set of front-end activities of individual waste collectors; 1. Door-to-door collection of (ideally) segregated waste; 2. Separation of recyclables for sale; 3. Transportation of remaining waste to nearest collection point to rendezvous with PMC truck; 4. Loading the waste into truck

Motivated by some good wo/men former ragpickers organized and registered themselves into a Cooperative Society and offered PMC to provide the aforesaid SWaCH service.

The socio-economics of the model has problems, which SWaCH need to fix to make it sustainable. I have written plenty on it, and we can discuss them threadbare here, if SWaCH management are open minded to hear us out.

[9/7, 18:25] Rajendra: Socio-economics of the SWaCH model (the perspective is important): The Cooperative has 3900+ waste collectors (*Cooperative Society Members or *General Body*) who have secured a 5-y contract for Rs 33.75 Cr from PMC (2024–2029) to personally serve 9,80,000 houses across Pune charging them Rs 90/m fee. For *admin support*, the *Members* (let's _not_ call them waste-pickers from here on) have hired a 186-strong team of employees (from a director down to _prabhag coordinator_).

Therefore in principle: (a) The operations fetch to Members Rs 9.8L×90/m= Rs 8.82 Cr/m of steady income + market-linked income from sale of recyclables. (b) Additionally, the model provides for PMC to fund the Cooperative with Rs 33.75÷5=6.75 Cr/a. (c) From (a) and (b) above, the Cooperative (the Members) must pay the salary to the hired staff. (d) The Members' monthly profits must be the balance = [(Rs 8.82 Cr from citizens) + (Market-linked Proceeds from scrap sale) — (Salary of the hired staff)].

That's the beautiful SWaCH Model of PMC. Next (after comments if any), I will touch upon how this model is corrupted by thoughtless actions and rendered unsustainable by PMC.

[9/7, 20:41] Rajendra: > “But, travel from home to allocated work place and transport of recyclable material for sale is borne by members themselves.” Yes, this is not covered @⁨~Sanskriti Menon⁩

[9/7, 20:51] Rajendra: Admin, it would be nice to have some Board members of SWaCH—owners and the primary stakeholders—on this group. We will connect with them in Marathi. Also a PMC officer sits on the governing body. They could also be here.

[9/8. 09:49] *The social aspect of the SWaCH model* The social aspect of the SWaCH model is perhaps the only reason it deserves to be retained — with *urgent reforms*. It is the most beautiful promise of the model: to give voice and dignity to (former) ragpickers. Twenty years on, this promise remains unfulfilled, reduced to an emotional symbol, not a lived reality.

Everyone knows that in a true cooperative, all powers rest with the general body of Members, which elects a board to take decisions. That is how SWaCH is meant to function and empower its Members. The failure is evident: we are debating SWaCH here without its Members or their leadership present. Worse, the public often confuses hired staff with top management, when in fact staff should be accountable to Members — and to PMC only through members. By now, many members should have ‘graduated’ — academically and into visible leadership. They should not be just in glossy pictures or promotional videos, but standing in this Group, here, debating as equals.

In my own ward, I interact with a Prabhag Coordinator, a hard-working young woman. But even she cannot connect me to the local members. Where, then, is the integration into wider society that was promised? Members are still called “wastepickers” and viewed through the lens of outdated social hierarchies — you know what I mean — rather than as empowered citizens with a real voice.

This is a brief [statement + critique] of the social aspect of the SWaCH model. Indeed, the critique part will apply to any other model involving socially weaker sections. So if society cannot make SWaCH socially sustainable, it cannot make any other model sustainable. So can we reform and retain SWaCH. If this resonates with reason, let us scrutinize the economic and operational aspects of the SWaCH model, showing that @⁨Ameet Singh⁩'s fears are not unfounded.

[9/8, 10:29] Rajendra: Of course! Indeed all of SWaCH failures are civic administration's governance failure. Staff and poor members cannot be held responsible. [9/8, 11:05] Rajendra: Sanskriti, I was totally not sarcastic, only brief. Your _coordination_ point is absolutely valid, and requires not only PMC's but citizens' involvement.

This is a tripartite collaboration. In my area we can squeeze cooperation from PMC but not from SWaCH staff (in term of generating and sharing data) even as we want to help coordination. Despite our many pleadings. This is simply because the model does not require of them to generate data essential for coordination.

Simply put, give me list of members and a machine-readable list of citizens who are not paying: we will coordinate. If model doesn't allow it, reform the model. Model can be reformed only by PMC. Hence, the onus. I wish to systematically address this prob in my suggestion on reforms in _Operational_ aspects of the model, next.

[9/8, 12:11] Rajendra: I am still for a dialog. Have requested SWaCH staff including director multiple times to sit across the table. I am still interested (after 16th) if they open up. [9/8, 12:18] Rajendra: As responsible citizens we should thrash out differences and come to a consensus. Letters to government could be titled: *पुणे महानगरपालिकेचा _SWaCH_ माॅॅडल मूलभूत सुधारणा (बेसिक रिफाॅर्म्स) करून कायम ठेवणेस विनंती*

[To be continued]

SWaCHचा प्रतिसाद

०६/९/२०२५: आज रोजी SWaCHने दिलेला आधारहीन प्रतिसाद वाचून वाईट वाटले. चूक कबूलकरून सुधारून घेता येते, तसे झाले नाही. संपूर्ण प्रतिसादचा सारांश येणे प्रमाणे:

Q 1. Why is SWaCH unable to show member-wise account of ~₹10 Cr/month being collected from citizens (including list of non-paying citizens)?

Ans: Because SWaCH don’t maintain it.

Note: This is not a technical limitation but a deliberate governance choice, which denies members transparency and accountability.

Q 2. Why does SWaCH staff pocket 100% of PMC contract money without (1)?

Ans: That is explicitly in the contract with PMC.

Note: This arrangement turns the cooperative principle upside down—members bear risk, while staff enjoy fixed salaries.

Q 3. What is SWaCH’s motivation for saving PMC’s ₹113 Cr?

Ans: It is akin to asking why Mahatma Phule opened schools for women.

Note: This is a lofty, philosophical deflection. Savings do not equate to a fair or sustainable model.

Q 4. Why is Pune filthy in spite of SWaCH?

Ans: People litter, many don’t pay, PMC secondary collection fails.

Note: This is a quiet admission of governance failure: since there’s no accounting of non-paying citizens, systematic prevention of dumping is impossible.

SWaCH संस्थेबाबत चार अनुत्तरित प्रश्न [ता. क.: दि. ०६/९/२०२५ रोजी SWaCHचा प्रतिसाद आला, त्याची व्याख्या पुढच्या पोस्ट नंतर करत आहोत.]

०५/९/२०२५: आम्ही म. न. पा. व SWaCH संस्थेला खालील चार प्रश्न विचारले असता, त्यांचे उत्तर न आल्याने मा. मुख्यमंत्री महोदय यांना एक ईमेल लिहिला आहे. SWaCH बाबत चार प्रश्न: 1. नागरिकांकडून दरमहा सुमारे 10 कोटी रुपये गोळा केले जातात, त्याचा सभासद-निहाय हिशोब (न देणाऱ्या घरांच्या यादीसह) SWaCH दाखवू का शकत नाही? 2. वरील (1) न करता SWaCH कर्मचारी (कचरा-वेचक नव्हे) 100% कंत्राटी रक्कम पगार/खर्च म्हणून स्वतःकडे कसे ठेवू शकतात? 3. PMC चे 113 कोटी रुपये वाचविण्यामागे SWaCH चे नेमके प्रेरणास्थान काय आहे? 4. SWaCH असूनही पुणे घाणेरडे का आहे?

आर्य समाज च्या विद्वत मंडळीबरोबर चर्चा

३१/८/२०२५: आर्य समाज जगभरात वेदिक संस्कृती जपणारा, प्रगतिशील व विवेकवादी दृष्टिकोन स्वीकारणारा समाज आहे. या महिन्याचा शेवट कचरामुक्त पुणे या व्हॉट्सअ‍ॅप गटाच्या वतीने पुण्यातील आर्य समाजाच्या विद्वत मंडळीबरोबर झालेल्या चर्चेने झाला.

चर्चेचा विषय होता — भारतात धर्म आणि नागरिकत्व यांचा काही संबंध आहे का? जर आहेच, तर ९९.९७% लोक धार्मिक (त्यापैकी ८०% हिंदू) असताना आपली शहरे व गावे गलिच्छ का?

या चर्चेत कचरामुक्त पुणे आणि पुणे-सिक्सटीन तर्फे आम्ही, डॉ. लक्ष्मी नीलकंठन, डॉ. शक्तीश्वरी नरसिंहन आणि ॲड. राजेंद्र यांनी सहभाग घेतला. चर्चा उत्साहात पार पडली आणि याच विषयावर पुढे सविस्तर भाष्य करण्यासाठी आम्हाला पुन्हा आमंत्रित करण्यात आले. तसेच, अमूल्य पुस्तके व लेखनसामग्री भेट देऊन आम्हाला सन्मानित करण्यात आले. या मानाबद्दल आर्य समाजाचे सविनय, मनःपूर्वक आभार.

कचरामुक्त पुणे बरोबर जुळण्यास यथे क्लिक करावे. या सहयोगी ग्रुपच्या कामाबाबत वाचण्यास येथे क्लिक करावे.

मागील मोहल्ला कमिटी मीटिंग मध्ये प्रगतीची चर्चा, त्याचे फॉलो-अप, वॉर्ड ऑफिसकडून आलेली माहिती, व दि. २८/८/२०२५ रोजी मोहल्ला कमिटी मीटिंग मध्ये घेण्याचे मुद्दे

ता. क.: आज दि. २६/८/२०२५रोजी वॉर्ड ऑफिसचे मा. इंस्पेक्टर काळे यांनी ट्रॅफिक पोलिसला पाठवलेले पत्र शेअर केले. फक्त मंदीर समोर नव्हे तर पवार पथ वर बहिरट चौक ते होमी भाभा चौक भागाचा प्रॉब्लेम आहे. तसा उल्लेख पत्रात केला नाही. पत्र गेलं, ते चांगलेच. त्यांचा धन्यवाद. इतर विषयांवर कोणतीही प्रगती आमच्याकडे आलेली नाही. तेंव्हा ट्रॅफिक पोलीसच्या पत्राला वगळून मागील पत्राचे सगळे मुद्दे पुढच्या मोहल्ला कमिटी मीटिंग मध्ये घेणे आहेत. आवश्यक असल्यास दि. १७/७/२०२५रोजी मा. वॉर्ड अधिकारी यांनी दिलेल्या निर्णयांचा संदर्भ देता येईल.

०४/८/२०२५: दि. ३१/७/२०२५रोजी मोहल्ला कमिटीच्या मासिक बैठकीत आम्ही (राजेंद्र आणि पंकज) होमी भाभा इस्पितळ चौकावर अलीकडे दिसून आलेल्या सुधारबाबत वॉर्ड व त्यांची कंत्राटदार SWaCH संस्थेचा धन्यवाद केला, अजून प्रगतीची आशा व्यक्त केली होती, आणि दि. १७/७/२०२५रोजी मा. वॉर्ड अधिकारी यांनी दिलेल्या निर्णयांच्या अंमलबजावणीबाबत प्रगतीची मुद्देशीर माहिती घेतली. त्याबाबत आजरोजी एक सविस्तर पत्र देऊन मान्य केलेल्या सेवा पुढच्या मोहल्ला कमिटीच्या बैठकीपूर्वी आम्हाला पुरविण्यात याव्यात, अशी विंनती केली आहे.

Will PMC abandon SWaCH model in favour of Indore model of door-to-door collection?

27/8/2025: Hindustan Times has reported that PMC is considering replacing SWaCH model by the Indore model of door-to-door collection of segregated waste. The article has many gaps: It does not mention the five-year contract of PMC with SWaCH lasting until 2029. This contract cannot be easily revoked, because PMC also shares the responsibility. For instance, SWaCH argues, its door-to-door collection in low-income areas fails because Ward Offices do not clear their subsidy bills for months and act against citizens in 'default of payment'. The report says, some workers earn over ₹30,000 per month for part-time work. What about the remaining workers? The model’s success cannot be assessed on “some” workers’ income. It quotes Delhi-based Atin Biswas saying, SWaCH model should be emulated by rest of India. However, Atin's 2021 report where he extensively discusses the Pune model shows his macroscopic view, with no insight into the internal working of SWaCH Cooperative, crucial for its sustainability.

Since Jan 2025, we are in a tripartite conversation with SWaCH and PMC, with a view to strengthen the SWaCH model. This is for our own selfish purpose: To make our footpaths garbage-free. We have not succeeded yet. But we have delved on the reasons why SWaCH model is unsustainable in its present form. We are trying to persuade SWaCH management (through their director) to come forward for an open, constructive discussion for reforms, but they are hesitant.

We have asked the reporter to join in our efforts, and publish a comprehensive analytical report for larger audience, which would ultimately help both the SWaCH Cooperative and citizens.

Will Chitale Dairy keep their promise to buy back their polythene milk covers? [Click here to follow our work]

22/7/2025: Based on Environmental laws, every Chitale milk packet carries the buy-back price of the empty, washed covers, but the their vendors wouldn't buy back. We are constructively engaging with this prestigious company of Maharashtra to have their plastic covers collected through the same supply chains, which connect them to their customers. Our collaborators are Anuja Bali, the members of the pan-India group called Source Segregation, Ameet Singh of Chalo PMC, and, most recently, a scientific editing professional, Lakshmi Nilakantan.

Pune-Sixteen and MCPSS jointly approach new Municipal Commissioner for in-person meeting

22/7/2025: We, from Pune-Sixteen, sent two emails recently; latter is copied to other IAS officers at PMC. Today we submitted another (printed) letter from MCPSS requesting for joint meeting with the new incumbent, Mr. Naval Kishore Ram. We believe that the IAS officer wields immense powers to take lawful decisions in public interest. Their service is well-protected under the law: the disciplinary authority is President of India, not the political leadership. We are therefore urging the new Municipal Commissioner, and his other IAS colleagues to forthwith take long-pending action in public interest without fear of or favor to political parties.

Meeting with Ward Officers [after RTI of 08 July] with [Agenda] followed by [Follow-up Letter to PMC]

17/7/2025. Members of five housing complexes attended the meeting: Rajas Garden, Chanakya, Chandralok, Sai Taj, and Dongare Building. We are grateful to Mr. Timayya Jagale the Ghole Road Ward Officer (who has joined just 10 days ago), Ms. Shamla Desai (who helped us schedule the meeting), Mr. Kamble DSI, Mr. Sarode SI, Ms. Badami, Mr. Murmure JE, Mr. Sagar M. Mule, and other officials from the Ward Office for meeting us and accepting our specific requests to ensure that the two road sections, viz. Bahirat Patil Chowk to Homi Bhabha Chowk (Pawar Road) and Deep Bungalow Chowk to SB Road (Gokhale Nagar Road) including footpaths are made permanently free of the menace of solid waste dumping.

SWaCH संस्थेबरोबर तिसरी बैठक

०६ ते ०८ जुलै २०२५. SWaCH संस्था व पुणे-सिक्सटीनचे प्रतिनिधि ०६ जुलैरोजी भेटले. मॉडेल कॉलनी सुधारणा समितीच्या शबनम सुद्धा उपस्थित होत्या. बैठकीचे इतिवृत वाचण्यास येथे क्लिक करावे. ०८ जुलै रोजी SWaCH संस्थेने म.न.पा.ला पत्रे लिहून (१) होमी भाभा इस्पितळच्या फुटपाथ वरील क्रोनिक स्पॉट वरून राडारोडा काढण्यास विनंती केली, व (२) वडारवाडीतील २४४ घरे त्यांना कचरा दारावर देत नाही याबाबत कारवाई करण्यास विनंती केली. यामुळे आपल्या भागात स्वच्छता होण्याची आशा आहे.

मोहल्ला कमिटीच्या मीटिंग मध्ये मुद्दे मांडले

२६ जून २०२५: आज रोजी पंकज आणि राजेंद्र यांनी वॉर्ड ऑफिस मध्ये दर महिन्याच्या शेवटच्या गुरुवारी भरणाऱ्या मोहल्ला कॅमेटीच्या बैठकीत पवार रोड येथील खालील प्रमाणे महत्वाच्या तीन मुद्यांवर सविस्तर मांडणी केली. बैठकीची अध्यक्षता वॉर्ड ऑफिसर यांनी केली, तर नॅशनल सोसायटी फॉर क्लीन सिटीस (एन. एस. सी. सी.)च्या पुणे शहर अध्यक्षा शामला देसाई यांनी आपल्या मुद्यांना संपूर्ण पाठिंबा दिला व मार्गदर्शन केलं:

(१) पवार रोड वरील आरक्षित भूखंड, त्यावर केलेले अनधिकृत बांधकाम (ज्याची तक्रार मॉडेल कॉलनी सुधारणा समितीने अनेकदा केली आहे), त्याचा ताबा घेण्यात म.न.पा.ने केलेल्या अविश्वसनीय सात-आठ वर्षांचा विलंब (हा मुद्दा आपण अनेक गृहसंकुलांतर्फे पुणे-सिक्सटीनमार्फत उचलला आहे), आपण भूखंडचे स्पोर्ट्स ग्राउंड मध्ये रूपांतर करण्यास केलेला सतत, व सविस्तर पत्रव्यवहार, या सर्व बाबींची मांडणी केली.

याबाबत वॉर्ड ऑफिसरच्या सल्लेवरून आम्ही आरक्षित भूखंडबाबत केलेल्या पत्रव्यवहाराच्या एक सेट तयार करून वॉर्ड ऑफिसर यांना सोपविला व त्यांनी आम्हाला या बाबतीत योग्य करवाई करण्याचे आश्वासन दिले.

(२) पवार रोडची आपर्याप्त देखभाल, किंबहुना संपूर्ण दुर्लक्ष, त्याबाबत आम्ही, विशेष करून डॉ. गुजर, अध्यक्ष, राजस गार्डन सोसायटी यांनी, मागील एक वर्षांपासून आठ ते नऊ म. न. पा. अधिकारी/कर्मचारी यांचा बरोबर केलेला सतत संवाद, भेट, साईट विजिट, व त्यानंतर सुद्धा कारवाई होत नसल्याचे मुद्दे मांडले.

सदरील अधिकारींमधील श्री खरात व श्री अत्रे बैठकीत हजर होते. त्यांनी आमचे मुद्दे लिहून घेतले व कारवाईचे पुनः आश्वासन दिले.

(३) वडारवाडीतील कचरा दारोदारी गोळा न होत असल्याने होमी भाभा इस्पितळ समोर फुटपाथ वर रोज टाकल्या जाणाऱ्या कचाऱ्याबाबत आम्ही स्वच्छ संस्थेबरोबर केलेली चर्चा, त्यातील समोर आलेले मुद्दे, अडचणी, आम्ही मांडल्या.

म. न. पा. कडून सबसीडीची रक्कम वेळेवर मिळणे बाबत वॉर्ड ऑफिसर यांनी आश्वासन दिले.

आपण सर्व संभासदांच्या सहकार्याने आपण या बाबींचा पाठपुरावा करूया.

We made RTI application for information on progress on acquisition of plot reserved for sports ground

23 June 2025: Today we sent an RTI to PMC asking for the progress on the acquisition of reserved plot. Click here for copies of (1) the letter from Property Department to Sports Department advising them to initiate proposal, (2) Draft proposal we provided to the Sports Department through Ms Shamala Desai, (3) Online RTI Application we filed today, (4) RTI Confirmation, (5) RTI application text, all in a single folder for members to access. Click here to commit your support to work with PMC to acquire the plot reserved for a Sports Ground at Pawar Road, Model Colony

Is the issue of cleanliness in Pune-16 a culture problem?

18 June 2025. Check out my essay: Indian Culture: Rhetoric vs Reality (your browser can translate online) suggesting that we need to address the issue both administratively and culturally. Let us not leave any stone unturned to speed up the development of our society. It is in the interest of our future generations.

जापानचे कलेक्शन पाॅइंट: जाळीमुळे कावळे, कुत्रे येत नाही.

14 एप्रिल 2025: ही पद्धत आपल्यापेक्षा चांगली आहे. लोकसंख्या जापानमध्ये सुद्धा घनदाट आहे.

14 Apr 2025: Submitted draft for Sports Department through Ms. Desai. Thanks for her support!

मालमत्ता व व्यवस्थापन विभागामध्ये स्पोर्ट्स मैदानसाठी राखीव प्लॉटचे प्रॉपर्टी कार्ड सादर केले

१९ फेब्रुवरी २०२५: राजेंद्र, निलेश, आणि पंकज, श्री भुतडा, डेप्युटी इंजीनियर व त्यांचे सहयोगी श्री शिवाजी म्हसके यांना भेटण्यास गेले, पण दोघेही कार्यालयात नव्हते. अमीतला वेळ मिळाला नाही. अर्ज करून राखीव प्लॉटचा प्रॉपर्टी कार्ड त्यांच्याच आवक कार्यालयात जमा केला व पोचपावती घेतली. फोन वर संपर्क करून 'सहजीवन'सह शिल्लक प्रत श्री भुतडा यांच्या टेबल वर ठेवेली. आम्ही प्रॉपर्टी कार्ड जमा केल्यास ते ताबडतोब कारवाई करतील असे आश्वासन त्यांनी दिले आहेत. पंकज आणि निलेश फॉलो-अप घेतील.

परिमल उद्यानात नशेखोर

१८ फेब्रुवरी २०२५: काल रात्री दोन नशेखोर सापडले. त्यांना हाकलले पण प्रश्न असा सुटेल काय? आपण काय करायला हवं?

मालमत्ता व व्यवस्थापन विभागाचेअधिकारींबरोबर चर्चा, इत्यादि

१७ फेब्रुवारी २०२५: आम्ही आयुक्तांना आमचे पत्र तसेच पुणे-१६ येथील तीन गृहासंकुलांच्या पत्रांच्या प्रत देऊन प्लेग्राउंडची जागाबाबत पुन्हा निवेदन केले. श्री भुतडा यांचा बरोबर चर्चा झाली. त्यांनी प्लेग्राउंडची जागा करून देण्याबाबत आश्वासन दिले. सगळ्या कागदपत्रांचा एक सेट त्यांना सुद्धा दिला. याचा पाठपुरावा करण्यास मॉडेल कॉलनी परिसर सुधारणा समिति तसेच नगरच्या घनकचरा नियोजन समितीच्या अध्यक्षा श्यामला देसाई यांचे आश्वासन मिळाले.

म.न.पा. येथील मालमत्ता विभागाचे म्हसके साहेबांचे आभार

१२ फेब्रुवारी २०२५: मालमत्ता विभागाचे श्री म्हसके एका अर्जंट कामात व्यस्त असून सुद्धा त्यांनी आमच्या चौकशीबाबत वेळ काढला, आणि सविस्तर माहीती देऊन मार्गदर्शन केले. त्यांनी आम्हाला म.न.पा.च्या एका एस.ओ.पी.ची प्रत सुद्धा काढून दिली जेणे करून आम्हाला पुणे-१६ येथे आवश्यक सुविधाच्या विकासाबाबत पुढच्या कारवाईसाठी अर्ज करण्यास मदत झाली.

The WhatsApp group: Chipko3-नदी वाचवा,झाडे वाचवा. Save Rivers, Save Trees

12 Feb 2025: This is one of the several WhatsApp groups launched by Pune River Revival (PPR) of enthusiastic citizens fighting to save rivers and trees of Pune metropolitan region. Rajendra joined this group through their QR code, and had some very good interaction with some members of the group. They showed interest in his posts and the data we have compiled and made publicly accessible on this website. We look forward to working with these new friends to save the environment.

Residents met to discuss the reservation plot on Pawar Road

Meeting commenced with Bapu, Pankaj, Rajendra ...

... and continued with Chandragupta and Nilesh.

03 Feb 2025: Bapu, Pankaj (Secretary, MCPSS ), Rajendra, Chandragupta, and Nilesh met to discuss the identification of Plot No. 412/D2 in green in the 2007-27 DP, which reflects garden or playground reservation. All wondered when PMC would develop the plot as public place against TDR to be paid to the owners. This will be an asset to the residents of the area. Pankaj, informed that construction activities have been observed on the plot, and that he has sought information from the PMC. Pankaj further agreed to file an RTI specifically seeking information on the reservation shown on the DP. Rajendra will supply draft for the same. Click here for documentation of our collaboration. Future course will be decided after receipt of the response from PMC.

म.न.पा.चे तरुण अभियंता श्री अभिजित यांचे सहकार्य लाभले [क्लिक करा]

०३ फेब्रुवारी २०२५:

म.न.पा.चे उत्साही अभियंता श्री अभिजीत यांनी आमच्या तक्रारींची दखल घेऊन आमच्याशी संवाद साधला आणि त्यांच्या (ड्राईनेज) खत्यातर्फे पुणे-१६ येथे खालील विकास कामे करण्याची खात्री पटविली:

१. आमच्या दि. १२/१/२०२५च्या अर्जाच्या संदर्भात [ऑनलाइन आर.टी.आय. अर्ज क्र. PUMCO/R/2025/60075 dated 12/1/2025 from pune.sixteen@gmail.com ]:

(अ) पवार रोड पासून सुरू झाले ते सिवेज पाईप टाकण्याचे काम पांडव नगर, व त्यापुढे जाईल, जेणे करून लवकरच शिवाजीनगर नाल्यात दोन्ही बाजूनी (अर्थातच पश्चिमेच्या डोंगरापासून मुळा नदी पर्यन्त) कोणतेही सांडपाणी नाल्यात जाणार नाही, याची जबाबदारी म.न.पा. घेत आहे.

(ब) श्री अभिजित यांनी कामाची पाहणी करण्यास जात असता आमच्या प्रतिनिधींना सुद्धा बरोबर घेऊन लवकरच संपूर्ण नाल्याच्या बाजूने प्रवास करून आमची खात्री पटविण्याची संमती दिली आहे.

(२) आमच्या दि. १४ /१/२०२५च्या अर्जाच्या अन्वये आमच्या तक्रारी बाबत :

(अ) सदरील इमारातींमधून नाल्यात जाणारे सांडपाणी ताबडतोब थांबवून लवकरच नवीन पाईप टाकून त्यांचे सांडपाणी नवीन सिवेज पाईपला जोडल्या जात आहे.

(ब) बिल्डिंग परमिशन खात्याला संपर्क करून सदरील इमारातींमधील दोन नवीन टॉवर्सला नाल्यात सांडपाणी सोडण्याची परवानगी कशी मिळाली, किंवा बिल्डरने चूक केली, किंवा कसे, याची माहिती काढून म. न.पा.तर्फे लवकरच योग्यती कारवाई केल्या जाईल.

Beware! Builders Using Citizen Groups to Promote Redevelopment Under the Guise of Environmental Awareness : Click for more

"There's no such thing as bad publicity"

25 Jan 2025: The quote above is the modern version of Oscar Wilde’s “There’s only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

In the aftermath of the elections, we are witnessing a sudden surge in seminars organized by innocent and well-meaning but misled citizen groups and organizations purportedly addressing the redevelopment of old societies under UDCPSR 2020. Alarmingly, many of these groups—who have never shown interest in organizing events to discuss critical legislations like the Societies Act, Pollution Act, or Municipal Corporations Act, Slum Act, etc., that directly impact daily lives in the urban area—are now aggressively promoting "awareness" campaigns about redevelopment.

Messages for these so-called "awareness" seminars do not reveal the particulars of the team conducting the seminar. They are cloaked in the language of environmental protection but appear to have a hidden agenda: to nudge housing societies and associations toward redevelopment. With skyrocketing Floor Space Index (FSI) values, the stakes for profit are immense, driving an aggressive campaign that resembles an election-like blitzkrieg. This approach is eerily similar to the greenwashing tactics employed in the much-criticized "River Rejuvenation(!) Project."

At its core, this sudden focus on redevelopment seems more about exploiting prime land for high-rise construction in Pune’s lucrative real estate market than about genuine environmental or societal concerns. The ultimate beneficiaries remain questionable (or, not so questionable after all!), but the pattern is clear: these initiatives prioritize profit over transparency and the well-being of local communities.

Caution is essential. As members of old societies and concerned citizens, we must critically evaluate these seminars and their true motives. Let us not be swayed by carefully crafted narratives but instead take the time to assess the long-term implications of what we misunderstand as redevelopment. Yes, just like river rejuvenation, the meaning of the crucial word has been altered by false narrative. Decisions about our neighborhoods should be made with caution, clarity, and a focus on the genuine welfare of our communities—not dictated by external groups either with half-cooked knowledge or vested interests.

There are not many crumbling properties in Pune-16. If your building is structurally sound and can survive for decades, tell them, "We will cross the bridge when we reach it." If you are indeed "there," allow at least a year of intensive cooperative action to strengthen your residents' society or association. This will enable you to take a well-informed decision without any undue external influence.

N.B.: 27 Jan 2025. We have been drawn in this debate. We shall soon write here a detailed article based on fundamentals of the issue and some common sense with the sole aim of restoring the correct, contextual meaning of redevelopment, and to correct the narrative. Please join us by sending an email to pune.sixteen@gmail.com in our common interest as citizens.

PMCB Warns PMC Against Polluting Nalas, and Other Developments: Click for more

1. MPCB’s Notice to PMC

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a notice to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) [click here for copy], emphasizing the legal necessity to urgently address the discharge of untreated sewage into natural nalas. This notice validates the need to prioritize sewage network development and treatment facilities before focusing on beautification or infrastructure projects.

2. Contradictions in Riparian Forest Policies: Forest Destroyed Recently

While the 2020s River Rejuvenation Project, superseding the connected details of the 2007 DP advocates the development of riparian forests to restore ecological balance, PMC has recently destroyed an existing riparian forest to build a road along the river (FSI shoots up!), relying on provisions from the 2007 Development Plan (DP). Click for the satellite picture BEFORE and AFTER destruction. This stark contradiction raises questions about PMC’s commitment to ecological restoration of the rivers.

3. PMC Tree Authority’s Legality Under Question

In response to objections filed by Team Ameet regarding the aforesaid destruction of riparian forests, the Municipal Commissioner, acting as the Tree Authority, has directed his own Project Engineer to address these objections. Click here for the internal letter. This arrangement compromises impartiality and reflects PMC sitting as a judge in its own case. A Legal Notice has already been sent by Ameet (through Rajendra as his advocate) pointing out that the Tree Authority under the Municipal Commissioner is unlawful [click here for the copy] under the provisions of the Tree Act.

We are up against an enemy of citizens' health, right outside our Municipal Homi Bhabha Hospital

We need the promised system to collect garbage at her doorstep

18 Jan 2025: Following up on the meeting held with Swach Coop on 16 Jan we have forwarded the minutes of the meeting to Ghole Road Ward Office and Health Officer. We have sent a request to Commissioner's office requesting inclusion of the issue in the agenda for their monthly review meetings being held on development projects. To this end we have also requested for withholding the next Swachh Survekshan Report Card pending resolution of the garbage pile-up issue at and around Homi Bhabha Hospital chowk.

Shivaji Nagar Nala Basin: Where are the Leaks?

17 Jan 2025: This map from the PMC website shows the sewage pipe network in a part of Pune-16 area. What we need is a finer map to know where exactly the residential areas dispose their sewage into the nala against civic regulations. Only storm water must enter our nala. Pune has a total of 23 nalas and the same situation exists in other 22 nala basins of Pune. Any river rejuvenation project must start at the basins. We have requested information on sewage outfall into Shivaji Nagar Nala Basin.

घरोघरी कचरा संकलनबाबत स्वच्छ संस्थेबरोबर बैठक

16 Jan 2025: याच आठवड्यात दि. १३ जानेवारी रोजी घोले-रोड वॉर्ड अधिकारी यांच्या कार्यालयात झालेल्या चर्चेच्या अनुषंगानेआज सकाळी पुणे-सिक्सटीनचे राजेंद्र आणि बापू व स्वच्छ संस्थेचे शुभांगी (आउट-रीच डिपार्टमेंट), नितिन (झोनल समन्वय ), सागर (वॉर्ड समन्वय), आणि प्रसन्न (प्रभाग समन्वय) यांनी होमी भाभा हॉस्पिटल भोवतीचे निरीक्षण, स्थानिक नागरिकांशी संवाद आणि शेवटी एक बैठक करून तेथील फुटपाथ कचरा/राडारोडा मुक्त करण्याबाबत सविस्तर चर्चा केली. शुभांगीने स्वच्छ संस्थेचा मॉडेल समजावून सांगीतला आणि त्यांनी काही क्रौनिक ठिकाण कसे कचरामुक्त केले त्यांचे उदाहरण दिले. समन्वय टीम ने कामाच्या व्यवस्थापन आणि येणाऱ्या अडचणींबाबत सविस्तर सांगीतले. राजेंद्र आणि बापू यांनी नागरिक म्हणून स्वच्छ-संस्थेस मदत करण्याची, तसेच वॉर्ड ऑफिस मध्ये आवश्यक तेथे समन्वय आणि चर्चा करून एक प्रस्ताव मांडण्याची तयारी दाखविली. मीटिंग च्या मिनीट्स करीता येथे क्लिक करावे. मिनीट्स प्रमाणे करायच्या कामांची यादी वाचण्यास इथे क्लिक करावे.

Satellite map of the area considered in the meeting

Survey Nos. of the area considered in the meeting

15 Jan 2025: गोखलेनगर-रोडवरील साई-ताज अपार्टमेंट, हरिहारेश्वर सोसायटी, व हरीओम सोसायटीतील नागरिकांची सेवेज पाईपची अडचण आहे. त्यांच्या तक्रारीवरून आम्ही मनपाला अर्ज दिला आहे. तसेच, पवार-रोडवरील अनेक इमारतींचे (देवकर बिल्डिंग, पवार बिल्डिंग, रत्नम बिल्डिंग, डोंगरे बिल्डिंग, व इतर जवळील इमारातींतील) सीवेज नाल्याला जोडलेले असून त्याची पर्यावरणपूरक दखल घेत आम्ही मनपाला अर्ज दिला आहे. त्या इमारतींचे सांडपाणी वाहून नेण्यासाठी पवार रोडवर सध्या टाकण्यात येत असलेल्या कायदेशीर सांडपाणी वाहिन्याशी जोडण्यासाठी नवीन पाइपलाइन टाकण्याचा प्रस्ताव दिला आहे. योग्य कारवाई होईल अशी आशा आहे. ह्या कामांचे पत्रव्यवहार आणि समन्वय/पाठपुरावा बापू आणि निलेश करत आहेत.

गंगोत्री, अमीत, आणि म.न.पा. अधिकारींबरोबर एक दुपार

13 Jan 2025: घोले रोडवर नवीन वॉर्ड ऑफिसर दांगट साहेबांना भेटलो. मीटिंग मध्ये असून सुद्धा त्यांनी वेळ दिला. आम्ही परिसरातील घनकचरा व्यवस्थेबाबत मनमोकळेपणाने चर्चा केली. त्यांचे सहयोगी तुषार आमच्याशी लवकरच संपर्क करतील, असे आम्हाला आश्वस्त केले. नंतर म.न.पा. भवनमध्ये माहीती अधिकारी मुकुंद शिंदे साहेब यांनी नदी पुनरुज्जीवन प्रकल्पाबद्दल माहिती दिली. यापुढे डी.पी. सेल ला जाऊन २००७-२०२७चा प्लान समजून घेतला. तेथेच जल-तज्ञ रवींद्र सिन्हा आणि पुष्कर कुलकर्णी यांची भेट झाली. पुण्याच्या पर्यावरणपूरक विकासासाठी नागरीक उपक्रमांमध्ये त्यांचा सिंहाचा वाटा आहे. या सर्वांचे, तसेच, अमीत आणि गंगोत्री यांचे आभारी आहोत.

13 Jan 2025: केंद्रीय शासन माहीतीचा ऑनलाइन अर्ज करण्यासाठी रुपये १० आकारत असता महाराष्ट्र शासनातर्फे रुपये २१.८० आकरले जाणे योग्य नसल्याने आम्ही अखिल भारतीय ग्राहक पंचायत पुणे शहर यांना अर्जाची रक्कम कमी करणेकामी अर्ज दिला आहे. ग्राहक पंचायतचे पुणे शहर अध्यक्ष आणि आमचे प्रिय मित्र विजय सागर यांचे आभारी आहोत.

12 Jan 2025: We have prepared an abstract highlighting the serious issues with its objectives after studying the PMC's River Rejuvenation Project and its Detailed Project Report (DPR). Based on this, we would like to prepare a detailed article and submit it to the appropriate body. This is relevant to one of our focus areas at Pune-16: Clean water bodies: Phase I (Nala) Therefore, we have filed an application seeking information on the sewage line plan within 200 m of the Nala from Janwadi/Ashanagar to Parimal Udyan.

मनपाच्या नदी पुनरुज्जीवन प्रकल्प आणि त्यांच्या डी.पी.आर.चा अभ्यास करून आम्ही त्यातील गंभीर त्रुटींचा आढावा घेतला आहे. याबाबत एक संक्षिप्त विज्ञप्ती तयार केली असून त्यावरून एक विस्तृत लेख योग्य ठिकाणी सादर करण्याचा विचार करत आहोत. तरी आपली प्रतिक्रिया कळवावी. संदर्भ: आपला पुणे-१६ येथील प्रकल्प बघावा: Clean water bodies: Phase I (Nala) या बाबत अजून माहिती गोळा करत आहोत.

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09 Jan 2025:

स्वयंसेवी संस्थेच्या सदस्यांची भेट. आमच्या टीमने स्थानिक ज्येष्ठ नागरिकांसाठी काम करणाऱ्या "स्नेहदीप जनकल्याण फाऊंडेशन"च्या दीपा साळुंखे, "एचवी देसाई हॉस्पिटल"च्या दिव्या चव्हाण, आणि त्यांच्या इतर सहयोगी यांची भेट घेतली. स्नेहदीप संस्था यांचे ऑफिस वडारवाडी येथे असून रविवार सोडून १० ते ५ हे कार्यालय उघडे असते. आम्ही त्यांना स्थानिक राहिवाश्यांना घरगुती घनकचरा व्यवस्थापन बाबत प्रबोधन करण्यास विनंती केली जेणे करून होमी भाभा चौकावर कचरा कोणी टाकणार नाही. या बाबत सदरील संस्थेला सामील करून पुणे-१६ परिसरातील स्वच्छते बाबत मनपाला एक ठोस प्रोपोजल देण्याबाबत चर्चा केली.
पवार आणि गोखले रोडबाबत. आमच्या टीमने कार्तिक आणि नीरज यांच्याबरोबर घोले रोड वार्ड ऑफिसला जाऊन पवार आणि गोखले रोडबाबत पत्र देऊन पोच पावती (१ व २) घेतल्या, व त्या श्री कार्तिक यांना सोपविल्या. पुढे कार्तिक त्यांच्या कार्यालया तर्फे पत्र जोडून घोले रोड वार्ड ऑफिसला पाठवतील.

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09 Jan 2025: PMB Desk of Pune Times Mirror has reported on 05 Jan , Sunday that Municipal Commissioner will hold monthly review meetings to ensure progress on development projects. Unfortunately, their agenda excludes achieving 100% door-to-door collection of garbage in the area surrounding Homi Bhabha Chowk, even as they claim 99% success in Swachh Survekshan. Let us write to include this issue as an agenda point for the monthly meeting. Also, reading the minutes of the monthly meetings would be beneficial for monitoring their progress. The other points of our immediate interest are:

Equitable 24×7 Water Supply Project; To be completed by June 2025;
River Rejuvenation Project: No timeline given. They say, "11 HTP plants have been completed, and six kilometers of the 53 km main line has been laid. The administration has been urged to accelerate remaining work, funded in phases by the central government". Let us ask how much fund is coming and how is it being deployed.
Riverbank Improvement Project: "Work is underway on a 3.7 km stretch of the 44 km Mula-Mutha riverbank as part of the riverbank improvement project, aiming to enhance the river’s infrastructure." This preempts river rejuvenation and is leading to destruction of trees.
Road Repairs and Maintenance: Resurfacing of 15 out of 33 major roads to be completed by January 30, with an additional 17 roads set for repairs in the next phase. Let us find out what is the share of Pune-16 and the status of our applications.
Action Against Encroachments: The administration has been instructed to clear footpaths of encroachments. Let us ask what is being achieved on this project in Pune-16.

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08 Jan 2025: Rajendra and Bapu met with Kartik to progress the proposals for Pawar Road and Gokhale Nagar Road. We decided to meet a political leader on 09 Jan at 12:00 Noon to elaborate the plan and seek specific support. Our current focus areas are the above-named two roads and garbage issue with Homi Bhabha chowk as epicenter.

Efforts bear fruit

07 Jan 2025: The situation at MSEB transformer point on the Pawar Road is improving. The garbage dump is gone. A board has also come up warning citizens against p**ing there. Still some they throw trash there soon after PMC pick up. Door-to-door collection is the solution we need to work seriously on.

07 Jan 2025: To get clarity on the criteria of Swachh Survekshan, we have written to the agency hired for Swachh Survekshan. We may also write to the central Ministry.

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07 Jan 2025: Click here for our applications seeking information on door-to-door collection of garbage from Wadarwadi plots.

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07 Jan 2025: Swachh Survekshan reports are published by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Central Government. It shows unbelievable scores for the city of Pune. For example, it says, door-to-door collection of waste is 99% and that the water bodies in the Pune city are 100% clean. This is totally against our common knowledge in Pune-16. The states of the Homi Bhabha Chowk and the rivulet near Parimal Udyaan show that neither the door-to-door collection is 99% nor the water bodies are 100% clean.

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07 Jan 2025: Click here for status (with name of the contact officer) of our RTI application seeking road maps of Power Road and Gokhale Nagar Road.

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05 Jan 2025: We have written to PMC, Road Department requesting renovation and beautification of Pawar Road, as well as renovation of Gokhale Nagar Road and also sought help from local political leaders to help our cause.

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03 Jan 2025: We have requested PMC to not issue tree-felling notices, since the tree administration is the job of the Tree Authority. It is noteworthy that after PMRDA came into existence, the erstwhile Tree Authority under Municipal Commissioner has been replaced by one chaired by the Metropolitan Commissioner. Hence, such notices being issued by PMC are ultra vires.

Swachchh Sarvekshan

There are discrepancies in the report card of Pune for the year 2023. It says 100% of the waste generated is processed. If so, why only 14% remediation of dump sites? Further, the report card says water bodies in the Pune city are 100% clean. This is totally against the common knowledge. The rivers and streams passing through the city also the lakes like the Katraj lake are far from clean. Someone needs to correct the data.

Swara Sule

28 Dec 2024. Swara, 10, is a student from Pune-16. She is interested in climate change and other environmental issues. She raises awareness about these topics through her videos. See Swara's video on Water conservation.

Pune-16

28 Dec 2024. We are not being exclusive. Indeed, we hold global and national perspectives. But we draw inspiration from ancient wisdom: charity begins at home (and our doorstep). We just call the diversity constituting the entire Pune-411016 region our home. Citizens in the adjoining PIN codes could be our collaborators for mutually extended regions.

14 Apr 2025: We have submitted a draft Proposal to be used by Sports Department through Ms. Shamala Desai today. Thanks to her for invaluable support!

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