The Bombay High Court has raised serious concerns over methane emissions from the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, warning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take immediate corrective action or face possible closure of the site.
The court noted that toxic methane gas and persistent foul odour from the landfill are posing significant health risks to nearly 15 lakh residents living in nearby areas such as Bhandup, Vikhroli, and Mulund.
A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe directed the civic body to submit a detailed report on emissions and identify the cause of severe night-time stench reported between 1 am and 6 am. The court also instructed scientific monitoring of gas emissions and their spread in surrounding residential zones.
The judges expressed concern that methane, a highly dangerous greenhouse gas, is being released in large quantities due to waste mismanagement. They emphasised that citizens’ right to clean air falls under the right to life and warned that continued negligence could lead to strict action, including shutting down the dumping site.
The court has also asked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to install digital systems to track gas levels and ensure continuous monitoring of pollution at the site.
The matter will be reviewed further after the civic body submits its compliance report.
Also Read: Maharashtra Launches ‘MahaChatur’ AI Chatbot to Boost Skills and Employment
Share
Tweet
