Bombay High Court Directs BMC to Strictly Follow Garbage Management Orders
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to strictly comply with its earlier orders on garbage management and prevent waste vehicles from creating a nuisance near heritage sites adjoining the University of Mumbai, City Civil Court, the High Court, and opposite the Oval.
Hearing petitions concerning the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, the bench recorded compliance regarding its July 31 order on the parking of garbage collection vehicles. The court stressed that positive steps must be taken to maintain health and hygiene across the city.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, BMC A-Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ujwal Ingole stated that penalties were imposed on a contractor after garbage collection vehicles were found parked opposite the City Civil Court on August 14. Show-cause notices were also issued to officials from the Solid Waste Management, Transport, and Planning departments, requiring them to explain their roles and ensure adherence to court directives. Additionally, Executive Engineer Zone-I Shrikant Rathod has been appointed as the nodal officer to monitor compliance and coordinate across departments.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that complaints regarding foul odour from the Kanjurmarg dumping site had substantially reduced from around 500 to approximately 24. An advocate representing the contractor operating the Kanjurmarg site stated that efforts are underway to bring the number of complaints down to zero.
The bench stated that its concern extended beyond odour to the clearing of waste from roads and public spaces, pointing out that garbage continues to be found on streets and under flyovers. BMC counsel Anil Sakhare informed the bench that the civic commissioner was personally inspecting wards and footpaths alongside officers.
The court also expressed concern over waste entering the sea from small nullahs and washing back onto city beaches during the monsoon. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on August 24.
