Air Pollution : Inadequate Action on Air Pollution; High Court Warns Municipal Corporation
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been reprimanded in strong terms by the High Court on the issue of increasing air pollution in Mumbai. Action has been taken against those violating air pollution regulations, and the municipal corporation claimed in the High Court that the air quality in Mumbai is at a 'Moderate' level. However, after hearing this claim, the court expressed strong displeasure, stating, “We do not want the air quality in Mumbai to be of moderate standard,” in such words to the municipal corporation. A public interest petition regarding air pollution was being heard before the bench headed by the Chief Justice. At this time, the municipal corporation presented a detailed report on the actions taken against construction projects, industrial units, and waste burners violating the regulations. The report mentioned punitive actions, notices, and orders to stop work.
However, the court directly questioned the municipal corporation's lawyers, asking, “After all these actions, what exactly is the air quality level in Mumbai?” To this, the municipal corporation's lawyers stated that the air quality in the city is currently at a ‘moderate’ level. Upon hearing this response, the court was clearly dissatisfied. The bench noted that in a metropolis like Mumbai, which is the financial capital, it is a fundamental right for citizens to have access to clean air. Air of ‘moderate’ quality cannot be considered satisfactory. Considering the impact on citizens' health, the court made it clear that instead of merely presenting figures of actions taken, the municipal corporation needs to implement concrete and effective measures to actually improve air quality.
The court directed the municipal corporation to prepare a long-term plan to control air pollution and to monitor its effective implementation. The court also expressed the expectation that there should be a significant improvement in the air quality of Mumbai by the next hearing. Meanwhile, due to the court's strict stance, pressure has increased on the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, and it is expected that stricter measures will be taken for pollution control.