“Ensure residents’ right to life isn’t affected due to pollution”: HC seeks immediate measures on Kanjurmarg dumping site

A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe was hearing a PIL by NGO Vanashakti raising issues related to disposal of municipal solid waste. The PIL also challenged environmental clearances granted by authorities for use of Kanjurmarg site as dumping ground.

Earlier this year, the HC had constituted the high-level panel led by state Chief Secretary under the supervision of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to look into the consequences of dumping grounds being located in city areas surrounded by large human habitation.

On Thursday, the petitioner told the HC that there was no further action by the committee. The court was told that the panel was recently constituted and taking stock of the situation. “We have high hopes from the committee. Let them study and see the reality on the site (Kanjurmarg dumping),” the court said.

“The committee will themselves visit and see and give immediate suggestions They are busy officers, we sympathise with them, but we are solving problems of the citizens. We had earlier passed a detailed order, expressing surprise that despite our orders the committee is to be constituted. We are informed by Additional Government Pleader (AGP) Jyoti Chavan that it was constituted,” the HC noted.

“Considering seriousness of the issues”, the court directed the committee to take a decision on complaints received after visiting the site and giving short-term measures to be implemented.

“It cannot be a situation that the right to life is affected by such a pollution. It is need of the time that the committee needs to act expediency,” Justice Kulkarni remarked.

“We do not want the citizens in the city to suffer because of pollution and then additional pollution of dumping grounds. There are houses (in the vicinity of the dumping site) that have become unliveable because of the dumping ground,” the judge added.

Seeking urgent measures on the issue, the judge remarked, “We may not know what are the ill-effects of the pollution but we will know after the visit. There has to be proper planning and ultra modern facilities. You must be aware that dumping sites are huge source of revenue including recycling contract undertaken in scientific way.”

The HC said that while it was to adjourn the proceedings to next week “as large number of citizens are affected”, the officers are busy at Nagpur for state assembly winter session, therefore it posted the hearing to December 22.

Curated For You

Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight with bright streaks over India: What to know

Around Town: How Colaba’s century-old Bagdadi — born as an eatery for workers building the Taj and Gateway — went on to impress actors, cricketers, and even Julia Roberts

In big breakthrough in Kerala, BJP wins capital Thiruvananthapuram, ends Left’s 45-year reign