2 days ago
Bombay High Court Urges War-Footing Action for Cleaner Mumbai
The Bombay High Court wants Mumbai to become cleaner and healthier quickly.
It said the city government and ordinary citizens must both help.
The BMC has started inspections, anti-littering drives and fines for people who dump garbage illegally.
Cameras are being used at places where garbage is often dumped.
The BMC has also started collecting waste in three shifts.
The court said garbage can bring mosquitoes, rats and stray animals, which may spread disease.
Residents near the Kanjurmarg dumping ground have complained about bad smells, pollution and possible health dangers.
The court wants the BMC to plan another dumping site, while the current site continues to operate because of a Supreme Court stay.
The Bombay High Court said Mumbai’s cleanliness requires urgent action by the BMC and citizens.
The BMC reported fines, inspections, anti-littering drives and enforcement under its 2025 waste-management rules.
CCTVs are monitoring garbage-vulnerable locations, while waste collection has been expanded to three shifts.
The court warned that reckless dumping can attract mosquitoes, rodents and stray animals and increase disease risks.
The court asked the BMC to develop an alternative to the Kanjurmarg dumping site, which remains in use after a Supreme Court stay.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai’s citizens; residents near the Kanjurmarg dumping ground also raised concerns.
- What
- The court urged urgent, shared action to improve Mumbai’s cleanliness, public hygiene and waste management.
- Where
- Mumbai, particularly garbage-vulnerable points and the Kanjurmarg dumping ground.
- When
- The order was passed on August 27, following directions issued on July 15; related Kanjurmarg proceedings also occurred in May 2025.
- Why
- To curb illegal garbage dumping, protect public health and the environment, and address alleged pollution and health hazards near Kanjurmarg.
Civic Action and Continued Operations
Resident Health Concerns and Alternative Planning
Responsibility for cleanliness
Civic Action and Continued Operations
The court and BMC said municipal enforcement must be supported by citizens, who are equal stakeholders in maintaining public hygiene.
Resident Health Concerns and Alternative Planning
The court’s collective-duty message places responsibility beyond the civic administration, while residents’ concerns show the effects of poor waste management on communities.
Kanjurmarg dumping ground
Civic Action and Continued Operations
The BMC continues using Kanjurmarg because the Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s directions, and it has been asked to identify an alternative site.
Resident Health Concerns and Alternative Planning
Kannamwar Nagar CHS Association and other petitioners raised concerns about foul odour, toxic gas emissions, pollution and alleged health hazards near the dumping ground.
Key facts
- Court bench
- Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale of the Bombay High Court
- BMC measures
- Fines, inspections, anti-littering drives and enforcement under the Solid Waste Management Bye-Laws, 2025
- Garbage monitoring
- CCTVs were installed at identified Garbage Vulnerable Points
- Waste collection
- The BMC introduced a three-shift collection system across wards
- Kanjurmarg status
- The site continues to be used because the Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s directions restoring protected forest status
- Protected forest area
- The High Court restored protected forest status for 119.91 hectares in May 2025
- Court’s message
- The court said cleanliness is a collective duty and that it is never too late to change waste-management practices
Quotes
Bombay High Court
The division bench hearing petitions concerning Mumbai’s waste management and public hygiene
“Maintaining public hygiene is a collective duty of ‘we the citizens’ by aiding the municipal machinery.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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