Bombay High Court Demands Urgent Action on Kanjurmarg Pollution Crisis
The Bombay High Court has expressed significant surprise and concern over the complete inaction of a special committee established to address air pollution complaints from residents living near the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. Despite being formed in July, the committee has failed to resolve even a single grievance from affected citizens.
Court Directs Immediate Hearing
During a hearing on November 26, a division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe directed that an urgent hearing be conducted on December 2. The court mandated that the committee must operate under the direct guidance of the Deputy Chief Minister and take appropriate decisions on the long-pending pollution complaints.
The bench explicitly stated that all contentions raised by residents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) would remain open for further discussion. This preserves the legal positions of all parties involved while pushing for immediate action.
Background of the Environmental Battle
The High Court originally constituted the committee on July 8 after recognizing the serious prejudice being caused to citizens residing in areas adjacent to the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. The court had been hearing matters raised through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Vanshakti and activist Mangesh Sangle, along with a separate petition by the Kannamwar Co-operative Housing Society Association Ltd.
Justice Kulkarni had previously described the issue as being "of seminal importance" that directly touches upon "the basic human rights of citizens." This underscores the gravity of the environmental and health concerns affecting local residents.
Representing the Kannamwar residents, advocate Abhijeet Rane informed the court that although the state administration had formed a committee under the urban development minister—including secretary-level officers, the deputy chief minister, the BMC commissioner, and the district collector—no meetings had actually taken place to address their concerns.
Broader Environmental Concerns
In a significant June order, the High Court had issued an interim observation that both the state government and municipal corporations, including those in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, need to seriously consider the consequences of locating dumping grounds within city areas, particularly when surrounded by substantial human habitation.
The court had emphasized the vital need for establishing a robust mechanism to identify appropriate areas equipped with modern amenities that would protect ecology and maintain a pollution-free atmosphere. This forward-looking approach highlights the court's recognition of the long-term environmental challenges facing Mumbai.
During July proceedings, the High Court reiterated the importance of creating proper mechanisms for allocating dumping ground areas and specifically requested the committee to provide a "blueprint of the robust steps" it intended to take to resolve the woes of citizens adversely affected by dumping activities.
The court had suggested that BMC and other civic bodies from the MMR area should participate in deliberations with the panel, which was also supposed to involve the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of Maharashtra, to address ecological and environmental concerns comprehensively.
In a landmark decision on May 2, 2025, the High Court had declared nearly 120 hectares of the Kanjurmarg dumping ground as protected forest and ordered its restoration as forest land in a 2013 PIL filed by Vanshakti. However, the Supreme Court stayed this High Court order in August following a challenge raised by the state government.
The High Court has now reiterated that these environmental issues require consideration on an "urgent basis" and has scheduled the next hearing for December 11, when it will review the compliance report from the committee.
