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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday observed that the scenario related to air pollution in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is going to be ‘very, very unhealthy,’ posing a threat to survival, and asked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to consider conducting a pollution audit of all industries in the region.
The court also stated that the steps taken by public authorities responsible for the construction of major infrastructure projects, including the Bullet Train, Metro, Coastal Road, among others, are inadequate. The authorities cannot be absolved of their mandatory constitutional duty to provide an adequately healthy environment to the citizens.
The court mentioned that the pollution audit entails the rigorous inspection of all industries to check if they are violating emission norms.
The High Court’s special bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Girish Kulkarni was hearing a suo motu PIL on air pollution in the region and noted that the emissions of pollutants from industries, contributing 20-30 percent, are one of the larger sources of air pollution in the area.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf submitted an affidavit of the MPCB, pointing out various compliances with the directions issued by the court on the last date. When the court pointed out that action was not taken against non-compliances in various infrastructure projects, Saraf stated that while it cannot be claimed that everything required has been achieved, a lot of work has been done by the authorities. He cited a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the State, appointing a high-level committee headed by the Municipal Commissioner and high-ranking officers of various departments to curb pollution in the city. Saraf assured the court that the State is taking the issue and orders seriously.
The State, in an affidavit filed by the Joint Director (Air Pollution Control), mentioned various funds released or utilized for awareness and air quality improvement tasks. The affidavit cited measures such as the electrification of buses on public transport with 2100 single and 200 double-decker AC electric buses on a wet lease model. Additionally, the conversion of existing conventional wood crematoriums to PNG-based ones and the creation of green buffers along traffic corridors were highlighted as efforts to mitigate pollution.
Last year, the High Court had noted air pollution but stated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) data submitted by the State largely showed ‘moderate’ levels. However, noting that these levels could still hamper breathing for seniors and children, the court called for a “collective effort to bring the AQI below 50, the ‘satisfactory’ level.’’
In a slew of directions passed, the High Court had earlier directed the Mumbai civic administration and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to jointly inspect and monitor to “immediately ensure strict compliance of rules and norms at least at the seven big project sites in the city that The Times of India (TOI) mentioned in a November 22, 2023 news report of pollution due to dust, dumped rubble, and other factors. The HC had referred to the TOI report titled, ‘Pollution Check at 7 sites generates heat and dust.
The court also stated that the steps taken by public authorities responsible for the construction of major infrastructure projects, including the Bullet Train, Metro, Coastal Road, among others, are inadequate. The authorities cannot be absolved of their mandatory constitutional duty to provide an adequately healthy environment to the citizens.
The court mentioned that the pollution audit entails the rigorous inspection of all industries to check if they are violating emission norms.
The High Court’s special bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Girish Kulkarni was hearing a suo motu PIL on air pollution in the region and noted that the emissions of pollutants from industries, contributing 20-30 percent, are one of the larger sources of air pollution in the area.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf submitted an affidavit of the MPCB, pointing out various compliances with the directions issued by the court on the last date. When the court pointed out that action was not taken against non-compliances in various infrastructure projects, Saraf stated that while it cannot be claimed that everything required has been achieved, a lot of work has been done by the authorities. He cited a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the State, appointing a high-level committee headed by the Municipal Commissioner and high-ranking officers of various departments to curb pollution in the city. Saraf assured the court that the State is taking the issue and orders seriously.
The State, in an affidavit filed by the Joint Director (Air Pollution Control), mentioned various funds released or utilized for awareness and air quality improvement tasks. The affidavit cited measures such as the electrification of buses on public transport with 2100 single and 200 double-decker AC electric buses on a wet lease model. Additionally, the conversion of existing conventional wood crematoriums to PNG-based ones and the creation of green buffers along traffic corridors were highlighted as efforts to mitigate pollution.
Last year, the High Court had noted air pollution but stated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) data submitted by the State largely showed ‘moderate’ levels. However, noting that these levels could still hamper breathing for seniors and children, the court called for a “collective effort to bring the AQI below 50, the ‘satisfactory’ level.’’
In a slew of directions passed, the High Court had earlier directed the Mumbai civic administration and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to jointly inspect and monitor to “immediately ensure strict compliance of rules and norms at least at the seven big project sites in the city that The Times of India (TOI) mentioned in a November 22, 2023 news report of pollution due to dust, dumped rubble, and other factors. The HC had referred to the TOI report titled, ‘Pollution Check at 7 sites generates heat and dust.
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