‘Sassoon docks’ modernisation essential to remove pollution due to solid waste from fishing activities’: HC seeks authorities to take measures

After the report submitted by the court-appointed committee stated that the area was “clean”, the HC remarked that it was “clean” as the spot survey was conducted during monsoon when fishing activities were halted at the docks.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif S Doctor was hearing a PIL filed by Colaba residents, who claimed that roads from Sassoon Docks to Mumbai Port Trust Garden are used for fish cleaning and chopping exercises, including prawn peeling, which causes a filthy and unhygienic environment.

On March 4, the Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) chairman wrote to the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, requesting it to “sort out issues related to the sanction of revised cost estimate for the modernisation of the port, which is at the heart of Colaba”.

The Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC) stated in its reply to the plea that the modernisation work had come to a standstill. It filed an affidavit, stating that the modernisation work has come to a standstill due to different issues.

The HC noted that a meeting was held between Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials and other authorities in July this year, however, “no visible solution” was suggested for the grievances raised. After perusing a report of MPCB officials — who carried out a spot visit, stating that the area was “clean” — CJ Upadhyaya said that the reason being no fishing activities there during monsoon.

According to the bench, it was the joint responsibility of the MPT, MPCB, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure that the “waste generated was cleaned” as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. It also asked the petitioners whether fisherfolk associations could be added as respondents to the plea, for a “viable solution” to the problem.

“The counsel for Mumbai Port Trust has drawn our attention to a unique angle of the situation, by saying that pollution at docks is caused on account of fishing activities, in which lower income fishermen are involved. Further in this case, if more stringent steps are taken, then this creates a law and order situation,” noted the court, adding that then, officials concerned from the MPCB and BMC could not shirk away from their duties.

The HC has directed the authorities concerned to take measures to dispose of waste generated from fishing activities as per rules, while asking them to comply with its directives.