Pimpri-Chinchwad to inspire housing societies to go green
In a bid to promote sustainable urban living, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Thursday launched the 'Green Society Initiative' aimed at recognising and rewarding housing societies that adopt eco-friendly practices. The initiative is a step towards decentralised environmental solutions as well as building a greener, more ecologically responsible city, officials said.
Under this citywide initiative, housing societies will be evaluated based on core sustainability parameters such as waste segregation, in-house composting, use of solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater treatment. Societies will be awarded green stars for every criterion fulfilled. Those achieving excellence across categories will receive a special badge of honour from the PCMC commissioner at a dedicated felicitation ceremony, officials said.
Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad, said, 'This initiative is about empowering communities to become green ambassadors. Every society has the potential to significantly reduce its environmental impact. Through green star ratings, we aim to celebrate those who lead the way and inspire others to follow.'
Sachin Pawar, deputy commissioner, PCMC, who is leading the initiative, said, 'This programme provides a framework for societies to turn intent into action. We believe that the citizens of Pimpri-Chinchwad are ready to step forward and set an example in sustainable urban living. The 'Green Society Initiative' is expected to create a culture of environmental responsibility, driven not just by policy but by the people themselves.'
Officials said that the initiative will be rolled out in a phased manner—beginning with awareness campaigns, followed by society registrations, capacity-building workshops, training and onsite assessments.
BOX
What makes a 'Green Society'?
Waste segregation: Systematic separation of wet and dry waste at source
In-house composting: Managing organic waste within society premises
Solar power adoption: Use of rooftop solar systems for common area electricity needs
Rainwater harvesting: Capturing and storing rainwater to reduce water scarcity
Wastewater treatment and reuse: Recycling grey water for gardening and other purposes
How it works?
For every environmental criterion fulfilled, societies will receive a green star.
Societies achieving excellence across categories will be conferred a special badge of honour.
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Pimpri-Chinchwad to inspire housing societies to go green
In a bid to promote sustainable urban living, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Thursday launched the 'Green Society Initiative' aimed at recognising and rewarding housing societies that adopt eco-friendly practices. The initiative is a step towards decentralised environmental solutions as well as building a greener, more ecologically responsible city, officials said. Under this citywide initiative, housing societies will be evaluated based on core sustainability parameters such as waste segregation, in-house composting, use of solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater treatment. Societies will be awarded green stars for every criterion fulfilled. Those achieving excellence across categories will receive a special badge of honour from the PCMC commissioner at a dedicated felicitation ceremony, officials said. Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad, said, 'This initiative is about empowering communities to become green ambassadors. Every society has the potential to significantly reduce its environmental impact. Through green star ratings, we aim to celebrate those who lead the way and inspire others to follow.' Sachin Pawar, deputy commissioner, PCMC, who is leading the initiative, said, 'This programme provides a framework for societies to turn intent into action. We believe that the citizens of Pimpri-Chinchwad are ready to step forward and set an example in sustainable urban living. The 'Green Society Initiative' is expected to create a culture of environmental responsibility, driven not just by policy but by the people themselves.' Officials said that the initiative will be rolled out in a phased manner—beginning with awareness campaigns, followed by society registrations, capacity-building workshops, training and onsite assessments. BOX What makes a 'Green Society'? Waste segregation: Systematic separation of wet and dry waste at source In-house composting: Managing organic waste within society premises Solar power adoption: Use of rooftop solar systems for common area electricity needs Rainwater harvesting: Capturing and storing rainwater to reduce water scarcity Wastewater treatment and reuse: Recycling grey water for gardening and other purposes How it works? For every environmental criterion fulfilled, societies will receive a green star. Societies achieving excellence across categories will be conferred a special badge of honour.
The Print
3 days ago
- The Print
Pimpri Chinchwad shows how to put people before vehicles. It's a model for urban India
Our roads must serve people—not just vehicles. In Pimpri Chinchwad, 23 per cent of daily commuters walk, and around 1 per cent cycle. But the streets they navigate daily are fraught with danger. The absence of continuous footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings, and protected cycling lanes exposes them to constant risk. If our mobility systems are to be truly inclusive, they must be built around the needs of those who walk and cycle. Streets that are safe for the most vulnerable are streets that are safe for everyone. Pimpri Chinchwad, a key city in the Pune Metropolitan Region, is a microcosm of this broader national challenge. In 2022 and 2023, the Pune district recorded 3,343 road crash fatalities. Within the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, there was a small decline—fatalities fell from 373 in 2022 to 360 in 2023. Still, nearly one-third of those killed were pedestrians, and another 2 per cent were cyclists. For a city that aspires to be smart, inclusive, and liveable, these numbers are deeply concerning. Every year, more than 1.19 million lives are lost in road crashes across the world. In India alone, over 165,000 people die annually in such incidents—an enormous human and economic tragedy that costs the country an estimated 3 per cent of its GDP. As the world observed the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week from 12 to 18 May, under the theme 'Streets for Life – Make Walking and Cycling Safe', it is time for our cities to confront this crisis head-on, especially for the sake of their most vulnerable road users. Recognising this, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched several people-first mobility initiatives. Also Read: Reckless drivers, beware! This Pune engineer keeps score with his traffic violation hall of shame Building India's first 15-minute city At the heart of PCMC's efforts is Harit Setu—India's first 15-Minute City pilot, located in Pradhikaran, Nigdi. Through this initiative, PCMC is redesigning key corridors to ensure that essential services, public spaces, and transit options are within safe walking or cycling distance. The project is being led by the newly formed Urban Mobility Department, reflecting PCMC's commitment to sustainable and inclusive transport planning. Harit Setu also aims to improve last-mile connectivity by integrating public transport modes—such as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and metro—with safe, non-motorised transport infrastructure. Complementary measures such as lowering speed limits, redesigning high-risk locations, removing black spots, and introducing Safe School Zones in partnership with the Pimpri Chinchwad Police are making the city's streets safer, step by step. PCMC is also part of two global road safety programmes: the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI). Pimpri Chinchwad is the only Asian city selected for BICI—a recognition of its leadership in promoting cycling. With support from partners like the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy-India (ITDP), and Prasanna Desai Architects, the city is implementing world-class design principles to protect all road users. In a landmark move, PCMC has officially endorsed the Global Street Design Guide, further aligning its planning framework with international best practices. Redesign the roads, not just rules Despite progress, challenges remain—especially speeding, which continues to be a leading cause of road deaths. A rethink is needed in how we classify and design roads. Instead of relying solely on categories like arterial and sub-arterial, cities must adopt a context-sensitive approach that aligns street design with actual user behaviour. Research shows that a small number of high-speed roads often account for the majority of pedestrian fatalities. These roads need to be redesigned with appropriate speed limits and built-in traffic-calming features, in line with Indian Road Congress standards. Strong enforcement is equally vital. Installing speed cameras, expanding CCTV coverage, and ensuring coordination between PCMC, the Traffic Police, and the Regional Transport Office will help create a safer and more accountable road environment. Good street design can itself act as a form of self-enforcement—encouraging safer behaviour without the need for constant policing. Of course, change is not always welcomed. Some stakeholders argue that narrower lanes and lower speed limits cause traffic delays or harm economic activity. But evidence from cities around the world shows the opposite—well-designed, safer streets make neighbourhoods more vibrant, healthier, and economically resilient. Also Read: 460 road deaths every day—10 Indian states have come up with safety models. It's working Road safety is everyone's job To make a lasting impact, Pimpri Chinchwad must foster a city-wide culture of road safety. Civic authorities cannot do it alone. Citizens, schools, colleges, resident welfare groups, and companies all have a role to play in promoting walking and cycling. Drivers must learn to respect pedestrian crossings and cyclists' right of way. Public awareness campaigns—on speed limits, helmets, seatbelts, and traffic discipline—must be expanded across media platforms. Change will only come when people are empowered to be part of the solution. The city already has the data, pilot projects, and planning tools. Now, what's needed is collective resolve—from policymakers, enforcers, and citizens alike—to put people before vehicles. If Pimpri Chinchwad succeeds in cutting road crash fatalities by half by 2030, it will not only save hundreds of lives—it will also chart a new path for urban India. The journey to zero traffic deaths is long, but it begins with a single, safe step. Let this be the moment Pimpri-Chinchwad chooses Streets for Life—and in doing so, chooses a safer, healthier future for all. Shekhar Singh, IAS, is the Municipal Commissioner and Administrator of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Jashwanth Tej Kasala is Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Early onset of rain leads to rise in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases reported in Pune city
1 2 3 Pune: The early onset of rain this year in the city has led to a spike in the number of viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in May, which is not usually a monsoon month. Officials said there has been a reported rise in waterborne infections both in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations' limits. As per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the city saw 14 viral hepatitis cases and 29 typhoid or enteric fever cases in May 2025 alone, which in the corresponding period in 2024 stood at six viral hepatitis cases and 16 typhoid cases. PMC chief health officer Dr Nina Borade said, "The early onset of monsoon is bound to bring in more vector-borne and waterborne infections. The mosquito breeding cycle has changed; changed climate also often affects immunity. However, this spike is not high. Also, PMC's water purification cycle is in place and effective. We recently tested our water samples, and they were found to be safe to drink." Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits are also recording a slight rise in waterborne infections. PCMC chief medical officer Laxman Gophane said there has been a noticeable increase in typhoid and hepatitis cases in May this year compared to the same period last year — but he emphasized that the data is still being analysed in the context of past trends before concluding if it constitutes a significant surge. "In May 2024, we recorded 58 typhoid cases, which have risen to 78 this year. Similarly, hepatitis cases have slightly increased from 13 last year to 15 this May," Gophane said. He added that health officials are closely monitoring the situation through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal and immediately alert the teams concerned if any sharp rise is observed. "At present, the situation is under control, and civic hospitals are fully equipped to manage such cases," he said. Doctors said there has been a reported rise in private hospitals as well. Dr Mukesh Budhwani, general physician and diabetologist, Apollo Clinic, Vimannagar, said, "Early monsoon causes sharp spike in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in Pune city. We have witnessed several patients at the clinic reporting monsoon-related health issues. In the past two weeks alone, we have witnessed more than 50-60 patients of viral fever, infection, cough and cold, or serious illnesses like typhoid, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach infections. This is a 20% rise in the number of cases that we usually observe around this time." He added, "We recommend taking precautions like drinking purified water, using mosquito repellents, and maintaining good hygiene to prevent waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. Boost immunity with vitamin C, probiotics, and antioxidants. Stay hydrated and active and stick to home-cooked meals to minimize health risks in the monsoon." Dr Pramod Katre, gastroenterologist at Noble Hospital, said, "The onset of monsoon brings along waterborne diseases like hepatitis (A and E), typhoid and jaundice. This is because of contaminated water. Hepatitis is seen more in smaller children than adults due to contaminated water and food. In most, it is self-limiting and requires a medication course of one or two weeks. In some cases, it can get serious and affect the liver. The common symptoms are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. It is important to consult a doctor if symptoms are seen as early detection can help in timely treatment and avoid complications later. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and typhoid, which can be beneficial for children and adults." Doctors also recommended some simple precautionary steps during early stages and for the monsoon season — carry your own water bottle, boil water, ensure hand hygiene before eating and avoid outside food.
