The Bombay High Court has sharply criticised the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the state government, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over rising pollution and methane emissions from the Kanjurmarg Dumping Ground.
A division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe warned that the court could consider shutting down the dumping ground if authorities fail to take prompt and effective measures. The judges remarked that officials had shown a “casual approach” despite the serious health concerns faced by residents living nearby.
The court noted that methane emissions from the landfill are significantly more harmful than carbon dioxide and pose a major danger to public health as well as the environment. People living in surrounding areas including Mulund, Bhandup, and Vikhroli have reported foul smell, breathing problems, and deteriorating air quality, particularly during the night.
Observing that temporary solutions implemented over the years have not worked, the bench described Kanjurmarg as one of the city’s worst dumping sites. The court also underlined that access to clean air is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The High Court has directed the concerned authorities to carry out daily scientific monitoring of odour and pollution levels, prepare a detailed methane-control strategy, submit affidavits outlining pollution-control measures, and implement long-term scientific waste-management systems.
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