Pune: Over 200 residents from more than 35 housing societies across Sopanbaug, Udaybaug, BT Kawade Road, Hadapsar and Ghorpadi areas held a protest on Sunday against the foul smell and pollution emanating from the garbage processing plant in Hadapsar. The plant, operated by Pune Municipal Corporation , has been a problem for people in the area for years, the protesters said. Close by is another trash processing unit that's run by the Pune Cantonment Board.
Both units have been responsible for much of the air pollution and general lack of hygiene in the area, the residents said. "It has become very difficult to live here," said Govind Bhagchandani, a resident of Udaybaug. "There's always a foul smell from the garbage plant and we are facing significant risks to health.
We're being taxed but in return, are not getting the required amenities for our well-being," Bhagchandani said. Those at the protest on Sunday, which was organized by the Residents' Forum of Udaybaug, Sopanbaug and Ghorpadi, demanded the two units be shifted as soon as possible from their current site. Many who were part of the demonstration also said they have experienced respiratory and other health issues, including asthma, severe cough and even heart ailments.
"Respiratory illnesses among people who live here have risen manifold. But all our demands seem to have fallen on deaf ears. We are urging candidates contesting in the assembly polls to look into the problem and shift the plant, if they want our votes,.
