The Bombay High Court has issued a stern directive to the Maharashtra state government and contractors, demanding immediate action to address the hazardous conditions at the Kanjurmarg solid waste dumping ground. The court, emphasizing that authorities "cannot play with the lives of citizens," ordered the implementation of stringent short-term measures and the constitution of a monitoring committee within one week.
Court's Stern Rebuke and Immediate Directives
A division bench comprising Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Vanashakti and other pleas. These petitions challenged the environmental clearances for the Kanjurmarg site and raised serious concerns about municipal waste management practices affecting residents.
During the hearing on December 25, 2025, Justice Kulkarni expressed strong disapproval of the current situation. "You’re playing with lives of people like this. These 4-5 things are nothing but lip-service by contractor…We want immediate mitigating measures. Today, our entire endeavour is to ensure everyone breathes fresh air," the judge remarked.
The court's order mandates that the short-term measures outlined in an affidavit by Vidya Ramappa Hampayya, joint secretary of the Urban Development Department, be implemented without delay. These measures were suggested by a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary after a site inspection.
Key Measures to Mitigate the Crisis
The immediate steps ordered by the High Court focus on controlling the pervasive foul odour emanating from the landfill. The specific short-term measures include:
- Improving soil covering on inactive landfill cells.
- Enhancing the frequency and coverage of bio-enzyme sprays.
- Deploying additional misting cannons with fine droplet size.
- Strengthening the complaint redressal mechanism with mobile odour monitoring units.
Furthermore, the court directed the formation of a monitoring committee, similar to the one overseeing the Deonar dumping ground. This committee will include experts from institutions like IIT Bombay and is tasked with visiting the Kanjurmarg site. The panel must direct the implementation of appropriate measures within one week, given the emergent nature of the health hazard.
Emphasis on Accountability and Scientific Approach
The bench underscored that an immediate scientific approach is non-negotiable, noting that petitioners have suffered for years without respite. The court firmly agreed that the creation of dumping facilities must involve "strict adherence to ecological norms and environmental laws."
In a significant observation, the High Court stated that such activities cannot be permitted to create a nuisance that makes life miserable for citizens, causing hazardous pollution that affects everyone from children to senior citizens. The order explicitly called for the monitoring committee to take stringent steps, including holding the contractor liable for even minor lapses under the "polluter pays" principle.
The court questioned why no action had been initiated against the contractor under this principle despite breaches of such magnitude. This issue is now expected to be examined by the authorities and the newly formed monitoring committee.
During the proceedings, Advocate Saket Mone, representing the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), informed the court that a grievance redressal mechanism using mobile numbers and email IDs for citizen complaints is operational, and details will be published on the municipal corporation's website.
The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing in this matter for January 6. The interim period is crucial for the state and the contractors to demonstrate compliance with the court's urgent directives to safeguard public health in Mumbai.
