The Bombay High Court (HC) has strongly reprimanded the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the persistent accumulation of garbage on roads and in several parts of Mumbai, warning that concerned ward officers could face disciplinary action if the situation does not improve.
A division bench comprising Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale expressed serious displeasure over the municipal administration's handling of the city's waste management situation.
“The entire city of Mumbai is filled with garbage and filth,” the court observed, while questioning why there had been no visible improvement despite measures reportedly being taken by the Municipal Commissioner and other senior officials.
The observations came during the hearing of petitions concerning pollution around the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. The petitions alleged that waste disposal at the site was causing severe pollution and distress among nearby residents.
Residents have reportedly been affected by a persistent foul smell, while concerns have also been raised over the possibility of disease outbreaks due to unhygienic conditions in the area.
The High Court noted that despite assurances and measures announced by the civic administration, the situation on the ground remained largely unchanged. The bench questioned the effectiveness of the existing municipal machinery and stressed the need for clear, practical and enforceable guidelines for waste management.
The court indicated that it may take direct action against officials responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their respective wards if garbage continues to accumulate at identified locations.
The bench observed that piles of garbage remain visible in several parts of Mumbai and expressed concern that ward-level officials were failing to take adequate action despite being aware of the problem.
The court made it clear that accountability would have to be fixed and that concerned officers could face disciplinary action if they failed to discharge their responsibilities.
The BMC has also been directed to place relevant guidelines and details regarding the responsibilities of officials before the court at the next hearing.
The Bombay High Court also advised the Maharashtra Government to consider imposing heavy fines on people who dump garbage on public roads or litter public spaces.
The bench further suggested that criminal proceedings could be initiated against habitual or serious offenders where necessary.
The court stressed that improving Mumbai's cleanliness cannot be the responsibility of the municipal administration alone and that citizens must also be held accountable for dumping waste in public places.
The High Court's observations underline growing concern over garbage accumulation and sanitation problems in Mumbai. While acknowledging that the Municipal Commissioner and senior officials have initiated certain measures, the bench said that these efforts must result in visible improvements on the ground.
The court indicated that it may issue further directions to the Municipal Commissioner to strengthen the functioning of the civic administration and establish clear accountability among officials.
The matter will be taken up again after the BMC submits details of the applicable waste-management guidelines and the responsibilities assigned to the concerned officers.
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