Pune: A group of corporators has suggested that Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) offer a cash reward to citizens who help expose illegal debris dumping in public spaces and riverbeds.The corporators have proposed offering a reward of Rs 5,000 per piece of information shared. Further, their proposal states that the initiative could be funded by fines collected from those who dump debris illegally.A civic official said the initiative would begin once the standing committee approves the proposal and allots funds for it. In the interim, PMC has opened a toll-free line (1800 233 9595) for construction and demolition (C&D) waste-related inquiries.Deepali Dokh, a corporator, said this initiative will serve a dual purpose — increasing public participation in resolving this issue and highlighting the problem in civic areas.“The debris is not only an eyesore but also poses a health hazard. Curbing illegal debris dumping is the need of the hour,” Suraj Lokhande, another corporator, added.Over the past two years, the civic administration has fined 1,170 individuals a total of Rs 80 lakh for illegally dumping C&D waste along nullahs and riverbanks and on open plots and riverbeds.Civic data shows that PMC limits account for approximately 250 metric tonnes (MT) of C&D waste per day. This includes waste generated by various civic departments, gas companies, telephone companies, private developers, etc.Civic officials say PMC has prepared a detailed project report to assess the quantity, quality and sources of C&D waste, and held multiple consultations with stakeholders to understand their concerns.The district administration has allocated a two-acre parcel of land for a 250 MT-per-day capacity C&D waste processing plant in Wagholi. This plant processes the waste collected here into construction products such as blocks and aggregates. PMC plans to set up 10 centres across its jurisdiction.
