The Bombay High Court has once again pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the persistent problem of garbage being dumped across Mumbai, stressing that concrete action is needed instead of assurances and affidavits.
A division bench headed by Justice Girish Kulkarni on Wednesday expressed concern over the continuing accumulation of garbage on roads and public spaces across the city and suburbs. The court told the civic body that merely submitting affidavits outlining proposed measures would not solve the problem.
The BMC told the court that steps were being taken to address illegal dumping and sought additional time to submit an affidavit. The court granted the civic body two days to file the affidavit but made it clear that it expected visible action on the ground.
The court had previously questioned whether the BMC's “Clean Mumbai, Green Mumbai” campaign was being implemented effectively, given the garbage piles seen on roads across the city. It had also directed the civic body to remove garbage around Mumbai's heritage sites within seven days and warned that ward officers could be held responsible if the situation was not addressed.
During Wednesday's hearing, the court said strict measures would be necessary to prevent people from repeatedly dumping waste in public places. It also indicated that the Additional Municipal Commissioner could be directed to take action in the matter.
The court further ordered the concerned ward officers to ensure that roads remain free of garbage and that proper health and sanitation standards are maintained across their respective wards. It reiterated that its July 31 directions concerning the dumping of solid waste in public places must be strictly implemented.
A petitioner from the Nal Bazaar area also raised concerns about garbage heaps and poor sanitation in C Ward, where a large number of lower- and middle-income residents live. The court declined to expand the scope of the existing proceedings but noted the complaint and recorded the BMC's assurance that appropriate action would be taken.
The hearing also touched upon waste management by large corporate entities. The petitioners told the court that companies such as Tata and other major corporations had begun processing their waste rather than sending it to dumping grounds. The court, however, questioned how ordinary citizens could be expected to follow similar practices without adequate systems and enforcement.
The latest observations underline the Bombay High Court's growing concern over Mumbai's garbage management and its demand that the BMC move beyond plans and paperwork to enforce effective measures on the ground.
Also Read: Mumbai: BMC To Resume Water Supply to Swimming Pools
Share
Tweet
