The Bombay High Court (HC) today, December 23, expressed concern over rising air pollution and unsafe conditions at construction sites in Mumbai, warning that the city could face a Delhi-like air quality crisis if authorities do not take strict action [on its own cognizance].
The Chief Justice remarked, "We have seen what happens when the situation goes out of hand. Nothing remains under control. We have seen this in Delhi over the last few years. Not only as officers of the court, but also as citizens, you have a duty to protect the environment."
"Please come up with suggestions. It will not work like this. Apart from being officers, you too are citizens and have a fundamental duty," the court said.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the city's deteriorating air quality.
The court also pulled up civic chief Bhushan Gagrani and Maharashtra government over Mumbai’s worsening air pollution, observing that civic authorities “woke up only after the court took cognisance of the matter”.
The court had summoned the Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on December 22 to personally explain their officials' inaction on these issues. The bench questioned the authorities about the immediate steps they have taken to protect the health of construction workers exposed to hazardous dust.
The Bombay HC Chief Justice questioned Commissioner Gagrani and asked him when was the last time he reviewed the situation. "When was the last time you stepped out of your office and carried out surprise visits in the city," the bench further questioned.
The BMC counsel informed the court that reviews were carried out on October 20 and 28. Meanwhile, surprise visits were conducted in mid-November, without specifying the exact dates.
As per BMC data, Mumbai has over 1,900 construction sites, but barely 600 have complied with the AQI monitor installation guidelines. The BMC also claimed its flying squads regularly inspect sites. However, it was pointed out that the court-appointed panel detected non-compliance at 36 sites within just a couple of weeks.
The BMC further told the court that as of Monday (December 22), 895 AQI monitors were operational, while 220 were not relaying data. It added that inspections were carried out and show-cause or stop-work notices were issued in case of violations, with construction work at 148 sites stopped since November.
The bench, however, remained unconvinced.
The court directed both the BMC and the MPCB to submit concrete solutions by tomorrow, December 24.