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Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
PCMC inspects over 5.4 lakh homes to tackle Dengue and Malaria spread
With the ongoing monsoon, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Monday said it intensified its efforts to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. In a large-scale campaign spanning across all eight zones, the civic body has inspected over 5.43 lakh homes and nearly 29 lakh water containers in search of mosquito breeding sites. The drive also covered more than 1,200 scrap yards and over 1,600 construction sites. So far, breeding-friendly conditions were found in the surroundings of 9,680 houses and in over 10,548 water containers. Notices have been issued at 3,431 locations, and penalties have been imposed on 624 households and commercial establishments resulting in the collection of Rs 22.24 lakh in fines, health officials said. Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar Khorate, and Deputy Commissioner Sachin Pawar, the PCMC health department has adopted a multipronged strategy. This includes not only identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds but also increasing public awareness and taking punitive action wherever necessary, the civic administration said. The campaign involves regular insecticide spraying, household visits by health workers, and the distribution of information pamphlets. In addition, the corporation is running awareness programs in schools and conducting cleanliness drives in public spaces and high-risk areas, officials said. The civic body has appealed to residents to actively support the campaign by keeping their surroundings clean, especially during the rainy season. Citizens are advised to clean water storage containers every week, keep them covered at all times, and observe one 'dry day' each week to prevent mosquito breeding. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, 'PCMC is adopting a comprehensive approach to combat dengue and malaria—through larval source elimination, rigorous inspections, and strong awareness campaigns. We urge citizens to actively participate by keeping their surroundings clean and supporting this city-wide effort.' Deputy Commissioner Sachin Pawar added, 'We are reviewing the ward-wise implementation of all anti-mosquito measures. Public support is crucial—every household must observe one dry day each week to prevent mosquito breeding.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
PCMC to launch disability survey to strengthen social welfare outreach
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has announced a comprehensive citywide survey, in collaboration with its Divyang Bhavan, to create an updated and accurate database of persons with disabilities (PwDs). The initiative aims to improve the targeting and delivery of welfare schemes and services, a senior PCMC official said. According to the official, such surveys are mandated every five years under govt regulations and serve multiple purposes. 'Beyond updating records, these surveys help track disability patterns within families for early detection and preventive measures. They also raise awareness about disability rights, strengthen local administrative systems, and provide crucial referral information for early intervention in newborns and infants,' he said. Officials from PCMC's Social Development Department noted that the survey will offer insights into the types of disabilities present in the city and evaluate which govt schemes and services beneficiaries currently access. With the state govt expanding the classification of disabilities from seven to 21 categories last year, the survey will also help update the list of eligible beneficiaries. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune 'The data will allow us to identify skill gaps among PwDs and design customised training programmes to boost employment opportunities and economic self-reliance,' the official said, adding that both central and state govts utilise such data to improve existing welfare schemes and introduce new policies when needed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The survey will be carried out through a combination of online and offline methods. Women's Self Help Groups (SHGs), ASHA workers, and representatives from the disability community will be involved in the process. A dedicated mobile application is also being developed for digital data collection. Last year, PCMC established Divyang Bhavan, Maharashtra's first dedicated facility for persons with disabilities, offering rehabilitation, therapy, assistive services, and skill development programmes. As Divyang Bhavan officials are involved in the process of the survey, the civic body aims to promote the crucial facility among PwDs to ensure they avail themselves of the various services provided for them. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, 'Accurate data is the foundation of effective policymaking. This survey will enable us to provide more inclusive and impactful services to persons with disabilities across the city.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Swachh Survekshan 2024-25: Pimpri-Chinchwad adjudged cleanest city in Maharashtra, admn credits it to teamwork
The industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad has emerged as the best city in urban sanitation and public participation by securing the first rank in Maharashtra and an impressive seventh rank nationally among cities with million-plus population in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. In addition to the top rankings, Pimpri-Chinchwad has also retained two prestigious certifications – the seven-star garbage-free city rating and water-plus status – awarded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the civic administration said on Thursday. At the award ceremony held in New Delhi Thursday, the award was received by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni, and Deputy commissioner Sachin Pawar from Union Minister for Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of State Tokhan Sahu. Also present on the occasion were Secretary Shrinivas Katikithala, Secretary Rupa Mishra, PCMC Executive Engineer Harvinder Singh Bansal, Health Executive Officer Ganesh Deshpande, and other officials. The Swachh Survekshan survey, now in its ninth edition, covered over 4,500 cities and saw active participation by more than 14 crore citizens. Reacting to the honour received by the city, Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, 'I sincerely congratulate every citizen, sanitation worker, official, and civil society group for this collective achievement. This recognition is proof of Pimpri-Chinchwad's sustained and inclusive efforts. Our responsibility has now increased, and we will continue to launch more sustainable initiatives in the times ahead.' 'This marks a notable improvement for Pimpri Chinchwad, which ranked 13th nationally and third in the state in last year's assessment,' the PCMC chief said. Speaking to The Indian Express from New Delhi, Singh said, 'Pimpri-Chinchwad was among the 45 cities in million plus population category. Of the 45 cities from across the nation, 10 cities with million plus population were from Maharashtra. Of the 45 cities, nationally we have secured 7th rank and in Maharashtra we are right on top.' Singh said, 'Pimpri-Chinchwad is doing well year on year. We are focussing citizens participation…PCMC has the potential to be absolutely number one. We will keep striving hard to reach number one and on the way provide a cleaner city for citizens, ranking is just one part of it.' One of the key highlights of the PCMC's achievement is its retention of the seven-star garbage-free city status under the Government of India's certification framework. The city has implemented scientific solid waste processing at the source and decentralised waste treatment across all wards. Door-to-door segregated collection, composting units, recycling plants, and biogas facilities have contributed to this milestone, officials said. The city has also once again earned the water-plus certification, reflecting its 100 per cent compliance with wastewater management, including the treatment and reuse of sewage water, protection of natural water bodies, and maintaining open defecation-free zones. The civic administration said its next focus would be on zero-waste policies. Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar Khorate said, 'The award is a proud moment for the city. Our next focus will be on zero waste policies, sustainable sanitation, water reuse, and building an environmentally responsible urban ecosystem.' Deputy Commissioner (Health) Sachin Pawar added, 'This recognition is the result of relentless teamwork by the health department and support from citizens. We are determined to work even harder and aim to bring Pimpri Chinchwad to the top national position in the next survey.' The 2024-25 survey placed a strong emphasis on themes like 'reduce, reuse, recycle' and encouraged the use of digital tools for real-time monitoring and public feedback. Assessments were based on 10 parameters and 54 indicators covering cleanliness, waste processing, public toilet maintenance, water treatment, citizen outreach, and innovation, officials said. The PCMC administration credited this achievement to the active role played by residents, schools, NGOs, housing societies, and industries that contributed through consistent waste segregation, reduced plastic use, and promotion of public hygiene. Citizens from different fields of life hailed the honour received by the PCMC though some said the civic administration needs to go full hog to ensure the city remains clean all the time. 'As a citizen of Pimpri-Chinchwad, I feel extremely proud. This success can be attributed to proper planning, honest contribution by civic staff and the positive participation by citizens, educational institutions and various organisations,' said Rahul Kalate, former corporator. Seema Sawale, former chairperson of PCMC standing committee, said, 'Though Pimpri-Chinchwad has a lot to achieve on the cleanliness front, it is good hear that we are better than other cities in the state.' Prof Kiran Khajekar, an activist, said, 'Pimpri-Chinchwad is any day a far better city than any other cities of Maharashtra. Whichever way you consider, be it roads, water, pollution level, jobs and now cleanliness, Pimpri-Chinchwad remains right upfront. The latest honours proves PCMC's mettle.'
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
50,000 suggestions, objections pour in for PCMC's draft DP
Even as the process of receiving suggestions and objections to the draft Development Plan of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation ended on Monday, it has emerged that there is 'hope' for aggrieved citizens as the civic administration reserves the right to accept or reject their views. By July 14, around 50,000 suggestions and objections were collectively received by the Town Planning Department and the Development Plan Unit of the state government. 'We have received 49,570 suggestions and objections directly from citizens. We feel there are 400-500 suggestions and objections which have come online. So the figure could go up well beyond 50,000,' said a civic official. 'Most of the 50,000 submissions include objections by the citizens, activists and politicians to the reservations made by the DP Unit of the state government,' he added. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, 'Now that the suggestions and objections have been received, the state government will appoint a planning committee through the director of town planning. The objections and suggestions will be placed before the Planning Committee….The committee will take the final decision and intimate it to the citizens. The decisions are then placed before the general body of the civic administration. The general body then takes decision on the objections and changes suggested by the planning committee…' The municipal commissioner said the general body has the right to accept or reject the changes or decisions taken by the planning committee. 'The general body has the final powers…After the general body takes the decision, it will go for approval before the state government,' the PCMC chief said. Civic officials said currently, the general body is headed by the municipal commissioner. When asked about this, the PCMC chief said, 'GB will take the final decision…,' while refusing to comment further. Officials said if the hearing is completed by the planning committee before the ensuing civic elections or before the Model Code of Conduct for civic polls comes into effect, the PCMC will get the opportunity to take a call on the planning committee decisions. 'If the process is not completed before the civic elections, then the new general body, which will have elected corporators, will take the final call,' officials said. For last two months, citizens in Pimpri-Chinchwad have been protesting against the draft DP as it threatens to bring down their homes constructed years ago. The reservations in the draft DP have drawn severe criticism from political leaders, activists and citizens. The reservations made by the DP Unit drew flak even from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said under no circumstances will a slaughterhouse come up near the temple town of Alandi. A reservation for this facility has been made in the PCMC's draft development plan. Several other reservations like the plan for a bus depot and other facilities near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue in Pimpri also drew criticism. Over 5,000 residents in Wakad, Thergaon and nearby areas have also protested the plan for a ring road which was to pass through their society premises. The 'wrong marking' of the floodline near the rivers also was debunked by activists. Seema Sawale, former chairperson of the PCMC's standing committee, who first raised the objections regarding the DP reservations for a slaughterhouse near Alandi, told The Indian Express, 'The draft DP is in favour of the rich and is against the poor and the middle-class. We hope the CM will scrap it and take action against those who made objectionable reservations.' The PCMC has been contending that it's role was limited to making suggestions and conveying the needs of the city to the DP unit. 'The municipal commissioner or the civic administration is not involved where individual reservations are concerned. That is the prerogative of the DP Unit. The municipal commissioner's responsbility is to ensure the needs of the city are properly reflected in the development plan and are conveyed to the DP Unit,' said a civic official. After the slaughterhouse reservation came to light, the PCMC had to clarify that it had suggested to the DP unit to make reservation for a slaughterhouse but not near Alandi. 'The decision for reserving the plot of land for slaughterhouse near Alandi was taken by the DP Unit itself apparently after their own surveys,' said a PCMC official. When asked whether the DP Unit had interacted with them before making reservations in the draft DP, Prasad Gaikwad, Deputy Director of Town Planning, said, 'We were not consulted neither informed about it. The DP Unit took the decisions after their own surveys…' On Tuesday, despite repeated calls, chief of the DP Unit Anupama Kulkarni did not respond. Earlier, she had said the reservations in the draft DP were not final. 'There is a long process involved in preparing the final DP,' she had said.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Now Pimpri Chinchwad residents can reserve parking space on WhatsApp
In a significant step towards digital governance, PCMC on Tuesday launched its WhatsApp-based 'Pay and Park' facility during the civic standing committee meeting. The initiative, inaugurated by municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh, enables people to reserve parking spaces through WhatsApp without the need for paper tickets or manual processes. Currently operational at 10 key locations in the city, the system allows real-time booking under the user's name for a specific time slot. If the vehicle isn't parked within the reserved time, the slot is automatically released and made available to others. Users receive instant notifications, making the process transparent and time-efficient, officials said. The system offers seamless access to booking status, real-time availability, and smart alerts—all through WhatsApp, officials said. According to joint city engineer for urban mobility Bapu Gaikwad, the service will not only ease parking hassles for citizens but also enhance overall traffic management in Pimpri Chinchwad. The standing committee meeting was held at the Late Mayor Madhukar Pawale Hall at the Main Administrative Building in Pimpri. It was chaired by Shekhar Singh, and attended by additional commissioners Pradip Jambhale Patil, Vijaykumar Khorate, Trupti Sandbhor and key department heads among others.
