Pune: Six-Foot Snake Found Inside Shop in Mohammadwadi; Residents Blame Neglected Amenity Plot
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Mohammadwadi, 22nd July 2026: Panic gripped residents of NIBM Annexe in Mohammadwadi after a nearly six-foot-long snake entered a shop on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns over public safety and the alleged neglect of an abandoned amenity plot by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The snake, believed to have emerged from the abandoned Gemini Housing Society amenity plot, was safely rescued. However, residents said the incident highlights years of civic negligence, claiming the plot has turned into an illegal dumping ground for food waste and garbage, creating ideal conditions for rodents and snakes.
According to locals, the unattended public amenity plot has remained neglected for years, with food waste attracting large numbers of rats, which in turn attract snakes into the surrounding residential and commercial areas.
Resident Anzar Rade said the incident was “an accident waiting to happen.”
“The amenity plot has been reduced to a garbage dump because of PMC’s negligence. Food waste attracts rats, and rats attract snakes. Today a snake entered a shop; tomorrow it could enter someone’s home or endanger a child,” he said.
Resident Jaymala Dhankikar alleged that repeated complaints to the civic body have gone unanswered.
“We have repeatedly alerted the PMC about the illegal dumping and unhygienic conditions, but nothing has changed. Hundreds of families are living in fear because the authorities have failed to maintain a public amenity plot,” she said.
Hussain Shaikh criticised the PMC Health Department, alleging that its failure to remove garbage had led to the increasing presence of rodents and snakes in the area.
“The Health Department has allowed garbage to pile up unchecked. Rats have multiplied because of food waste, and now snakes are entering commercial establishments. This reflects a serious failure in civic administration,” he said.
Demanding immediate action, Sanjay Ahir urged the PMC to fence the plot with a permanent gate, remove accumulated garbage, clear overgrown vegetation, and conduct an intensive rodent-control drive.
“The PMC cannot wait for a tragedy before acting. Every day of delay puts residents, children and senior citizens at risk. Officials responsible for maintaining this public land must be held accountable,” he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Naresh Chaudhary said the abandoned plot had become a breeding ground for rats, mosquitoes, and snakes despite repeated complaints from residents.
Residents have demanded the immediate fencing of the Gemini Housing Society amenity plot, installation of a locked gate, removal of all garbage and food waste, clearance of dense vegetation, rodent and pest-control measures, and accountability for officials responsible for maintaining the public land.
They warned that unless immediate corrective measures are taken, future incidents could pose an even greater threat to public safety.
