Celebrating Pune’s Waste Warriors- The Heart of a Cleaner Pune

A clean city is often noticed for its streets, public spaces and neighbourhoods. But behind that cleanliness are people who work quietly, consistently and with a strong sense of responsibility. At the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI), these people are our Waste Warriors.

On 28 October, around 650 Waste Warriors, supervisors and staff came together at the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Auditorium in Wanawadi for a special programme celebrating their dedication, professional ethics and contribution to society.

Around 33 Waste Warriors were felicitated for excellence in their work, including acts of honesty and compassion. Some followed established SOPs to return valuables found during collection, while others stepped forward to help citizens during medical emergencies in public spaces.

Guest of Honour  Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakre,  Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) , appreciated the dedication of the Waste Warriors and acknowledged APCCI’s consistent support to the city. He highlighted how the APCCI team responds promptly whenever assistance is required for cleanliness-related services or pothole-filling work. He also emphasised that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the police, and cleanliness is a part of this, essential to creating an orderly, safe and healthy environment for citizens.

The programme was attended by Mr. Malhar Karwande, CEO, APCCI, and Mr. Krishnan Komandur, Consultant, APCCI, along with the APCCI Operations Team.

At APCCI, we believe cleanliness is about more than collecting waste. It is about responsibility, dignity, honesty and service. This is the second year of this unique program which acknowledges the waste warriors who go beyond their duty of cleanliness. This celebration was a reminder that behind a cleaner Pune are people who care.