The five-day rescue operation at the Moshi Garbage Depot has ended after rescuers recovered one more body from the debris on Sunday, taking the death toll to nine.
The tragedy unfolded on July 8 when a massive garbage mound collapsed onto the administrative building of the Waste-to-Energy project at the landfill site. Fourteen people were rescued or escaped, while nine workers lost their lives.
Officials said 23 people were inside or around the building when the collapse occurred. Five workers escaped immediately after the incident, while rescue teams pulled nine others out alive during the operation.
The incident has triggered serious concerns over waste management practices, urban planning, environmental compliance and civic accountability in Pimpri-Chinchwad, one of India’s fastest-growing cities.
Experts believe heavy monsoon rain destabilised the towering landfill, creating lateral pressure that caused the garbage mound to collapse onto the building.
Waste management
Engineers and members of the Pradhikaran Nagari Suraksha Kruti Society (PNSKS) have alleged that the disaster resulted from multiple violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
According to their preliminary findings, the landfill had reportedly grown beyond 60 metres in height, far exceeding the prescribed limit of 20 metres.
They also alleged that no retaining wall had been built to prevent garbage slides, the administrative building had been constructed too close to the landfill in violation of mandatory buffer zone norms, and fresh waste continued to be dumped despite regulatory concerns.
PCB warnings allegedly ignored
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had reportedly issued notices to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) earlier this year after identifying the Moshi landfill as a major methane emission hotspot.
According to the allegations, the notices instructed the civic body to stop fresh dumping, implement biomining, install methane monitoring systems and strengthen fire safety measures.
Critics claim that despite these warnings, around four lakh tonnes of additional waste accumulated at the site, increasing the risk of a major accident.
Questions over administrative building
The collapse has also raised questions about the legality of the administrative building that was destroyed.
Official records reportedly permitted only a single-storey structure. However, the building that collapsed allegedly consisted of a ground floor and two additional floors.
Investigators are expected to examine whether the extra floors were constructed without approval and whether officials failed to act against the alleged violations.
Calls for criminal action
Based on the preliminary technical assessment, PNSKS has called for criminal proceedings against the contractor and municipal officials responsible for the project.
The organisation has argued that if safety failures, including the absence of a retaining wall, are confirmed, offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide and endangering human life, should be considered.
It has also demanded action under labour safety laws, alleging that workers were required to operate in unsafe conditions despite known risks.
The tragedy has renewed debate over the challenges of managing rapid urban growth in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Although authorities had announced plans to clear legacy waste through biomining and the Waste-to-Energy project by the end of 2026, the landfill reportedly continued to expand.
Urban planning experts say the disaster highlights the risks of delayed infrastructure, poor enforcement of environmental regulations and inadequate waste management.
Compensation and inquiry ordered
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family of each of the nine victims.
The Municipal Commissioner has also ordered the issuance of show-cause notices to the PCMC Environment Department and project contractor Anthony Lara Renewable Energy.
A detailed inquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances behind the collapse and fix responsibility for the disaster.
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