68 tonnes of dust collected, 1,518 km of roads washed using 34.8 lakh litres of water since November: BMC to HC
The BMC also told the court that of the 593 bakeries within its limits, 246 are still operating on wood and coal and are yet to shift to gas, electricity or other green fuel sources.
The HC was also told that penalties amounting to Rs 84,700 were collected in 107 cases of garbage burning between June and November 2025.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday informed the Bombay High Court that it has collected nearly 68 tonnes (67.86 tonnes) of dust since November 1 as part of measures to curb air pollution in the city.
The civic body said it washed a total of 1,518.35 km of roads between November 1 and December 8. For this, 38 trips of 5,000-litre tankers and 196 trips of 9,000-litre tankers were deployed, resulting in the use of nearly 34.8 lakh litres of water, assuming tankers operated at full capacity.
The BMC also told the court that of the 593 bakeries within its limits, 246 are still operating on wood and coal and are yet to shift to gas, electricity or other green fuel sources. Notices have been issued to these bakeries and enforcement action is being taken by ward health officers, it said.
Advocate Joel Carlos, appearing for the BMC, submitted an affidavit filed by Chief Engineer (Environment and Climate Change) Avinash Kate before a bench headed by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad.
The bench has been hearing a suo motu PIL and other petitions initiated after taking note of various news reports, including The Indian Express’s ‘Death by Breath’ series, which highlighted an “alarming scenario” of air pollution beginning November 2023.
“The BMC is continuing washing roads on a regular basis so as to ensure that the dust particles are not floating in the air and the particulate matter is settled/washed away. This initiative focuses on improving air quality and urban hygiene through advanced cleaning methods and resource optimization during Deep Cleaning Drives. Key activities include sweeping, brushing, and high-pressure water jet cleaning of roads, footpaths, and areas under parked vehicles and junction boxes,” the affidavit said.
The civic body added that while road-washing activity was suspended during the monsoon, full-scale operations resumed in November 2025. A total of 67 tankers of 5,000-litre capacity and 39 tankers of 9,000-litre capacity were deployed across 24 wards on a trip basis.
Story continues below this ad
It further informed the court that 25 misting machines are being operated in two shifts daily. Since last month, 179 shifts of misting machines have been deployed, covering a road length of nearly 802.8 km.
The HC was also told that penalties amounting to Rs 84,700 were collected in 107 cases of garbage burning between June and November 2025.
According to the Development Planning Department, there are currently 1,954 ongoing construction projects. As of December 5, 1,020 low-cost air quality index (AQI) monitoring sensors have been installed at sites, while 397 installations are underway.
The court was further informed that a four-member panel comprising three lawyers and Anita Patil, Conservator of Forests, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, inspected 36 sites, including industrial units such as ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The panel has prepared its report and will submit it to the court this week.
Story continues below this ad
Adjourning the matter to Monday, December 22, Chief Justice Chandrashekhar said, “Let us find some concrete solution, otherwise the matter is listed and court issues some directions.”
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
3 min read
