Bombay High Court expresses concern over rising air pollution in Mumbai
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed concerns over rising air pollution and unsafe conditions at construction sites in Mumbai, warning that the city could face an air quality crisis like Delhi if authorities fail to act decisively. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation on the city’s worsening air quality.
The Court had, on December 22, summoned the Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Member Secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to personally explain the inaction of their officers on these issues. The Judges asked the officers to explain what immediate steps they had taken to safeguard the health of construction workers who were exposed to hazardous dust.
“We have seen what happens once the situation goes out of hand. Nothing remains under control. We have seen it in Delhi in the last 2-5 years. Not just as officers of the court but as citizens, you have a duty to protect the environment,” the Chief Justice observed, directing BMC and MCPB officers to come with concrete solutions by Wednesday.
The Court took strong exception to the complete lack of air quality monitoring across construction sites, including where public infrastructure projects are being built. Taking note of a 74-page report submitted by a Court-appointed committee led by Sanjay Gandhi National Park Conservator Anitta Patil, the Judges observed that the findings revealed widespread non-compliance with dust control norms despite repeated directions.
The Chief Justice questioned BMC officials about inspection data and malfunctioning air sensors. The BMC admitted that out of 1,080 electronic sensors mandated to track air quality, 220 were not transmitting data. The Chief Justice warned that such indifference by the officials was a serious issue, especially if the authorities were “waking up only after the court’s cognisance.”
The Court also noted that hundreds of construction sites continued work without basic safeguards, such as metal sheets or green tarpaulin barriers. BMC’s counsel, SU Kamdar, said that show cause notices had been issued to 433 violators and 148 stop-work notices have been enforced since November. Judges observed that these steps were inadequate. “We want compliance. Work should continue, but you have to ensure compliances. These are massive building projects,” the Bench emphasised.
