Bombay High Court slams BMC and MPCB over Kanjurmarg dumping ground pollution crisis

The Bombay High Court has issued strict directives to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over pollution and foul odour at the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. In its order, the court also criticised the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for failing to take adequate action on the long-standing issue.

The court described the MPCB as a 'silent spectator' and demanded an affidavit explaining its actions so far. It ordered a statutory audit and vigilance inspection of the Kanjurmarg facility to check compliance with environmental norms.

To address ongoing concerns, the court mandated daily night-time monitoring of odour, emissions, and pollution levels between 1 am and 6 am. Additional CCTV cameras must be installed at the site, with 24x7 surveillance linked directly to the civic body’s office. A monitoring committee, including an MPCB officer and the petitioner, will now oversee compliance and corrective measures. The court also instructed the contractor operating the online grievance portal to make it more user-friendly. Residents must have immediate access to a redress mechanism for their complaints.

The directives aim to enforce stricter oversight and transparency at the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. The BMC and MPCB must now submit regular reports on their progress, ensuring pollution and odour issues are addressed without delay.